Poetry

Mike Maguire photo

By

Ben White

Sincerity

Dear America,

Please don’t thank me for my service

Because, for one,

You are not really sure

What it entailed,

And two,

Your true colors

Have proved your gratitude

To be an empty sentiment

With your president’s

Cherished relationship

With Russians

I was deployed

To face off against,

And now with your treatment

Of a humanitarian

Military service

With members sacrificing

Pay for politics

I am left unable

To believe

Any appreciation

You try to convey,

And although there may

Be some service members

Who you really want to thank

For standing in your ranks,

Despite my time served

In your Army

And in your Coast Guard

I simply don’t

Feel or sense

Any sincerity.

Ben White

Author of the books, Buddha Bastinado Blues and The Kill Gene, Ben White thought he was a poet, only to find out he is not a poet at all. He is a witness. What he writes is testimony.