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Medic: Three Dreams
by  Robert H. Dirr Jr.


I:
A bullet-punctured femoral artery douses me with blood.
I strain to tie the slippery hose in a knot, but a sandal
Kicks my shoulder, grounding me beside my friend.  I look up‚
To see a bayonet aimed at my chest, as the friend fires
His M-16:  a slow motion fireworks display where once was a head.

II:
My platoon is sweeping through another village when shots
Are fired at us.  Word comes to burn the vill, so I rid my
Pocket of the Zippo, and begin to torch the huts.  I peer into the first one
And it is empty, so I ignite the thatched roof.  Within minutes I can hear
Muffled crying of children, but it is too late...the hut is withering from
Flames.  Later, under a trap door, I find three dead babies.

III:
I am paralyzed from the waist down, shuttled over a river in a motorized
Rowboat to a waiting chopper.  Yellow water laps against the sides, as
I recognize a friend.  He says hello to me, and dies.  Mouth to mouth brings him
Back, but he is gone again.  I pound upon his chest and curse at him
For not breathing, but he will never hear me.  I am alone.
#

©1997, All Rights Reserved

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