The Silence: Incoming!
From the driver’s seat of an APC
watches the world light on fire
across the horizon
every weapon of modern war unleashed.
Reaches into his rucksack
someone has taken his pringles
replaced them
with dehydrated pork from MREs.
Which one of you *beeps*…!?
into the back of the APC.
Giggles.
Incoming!
From his couch
listens to the world light on fire
on the radio
breathless commentary
his back out
his son
somewhere out there
risking his life
Thoughts
of a different war
a running firefight
along a jungle path
harder to spectate
than do
reaches for his pack of pringles.
Winces.
At the bar
a lifetime later
a grandfather, father, and son
a bowl of pringles between them
a documentary about
Shock & Awe
on the television.
So that’s what it was like?
The son asks
your war?
Looks like a video game.
Different from yours,
Grandpa?
The father shrugs
the grandfather grunts
each lost in memories.
I’m thinking of enlisting
the son says
what do you think?
— Matthew S. Spira © 2020
