Back to the World

Vet pays homage

to laughing gargoyles

atop Harold Washington library

singing spring time in downtown Chicago

dreaming disturbed nightmare fire fights

eating daily rainbow cocktails

prescribed by psychologist

continues his dance

in living room park

next to loop train station

lodging complaints

through fatigues

telling dog walkers

soiling his green carpet,

clean that shit up

who do you think you are

leaving rice paddies’ children

begging for candy bars

hiding hand grenades

exploding in his head.