2011 Student Writing Awards Booklet - Santa Fe Community College

Before Him
i.
Left alone, at the age of four
while his parent s went out to drink.
ii.
Being raised by his aunt,
smelling tapioca pudding
through the screen door,
he loses his marbles
down the street.
iii.
Having to stand at the window
of Catholic School
he shoves books outside.
iv.
Joining the U.S. Army
for what else is there to do,
Sent to Vietnam,
he learns that dog is really
man’s best friend.
As a scout dog handler
following the U.S. flag
sniffing out mines, bombs
and other potential threats,
his life is saved over
and over again.
v.
Learning to make bombs out of shit,
he remembers seeing body bags
stacked on top of other body bags.
vi.
After Vietnam, he returns
and is stationed in the
Extreme North where
the house of rainbow lights
dance.
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