Did you go up the river?
Did you put your feet on the deck?
Did you feel the spray on your face?
Did you feel the fear on your neck?
For each, “rock and roll”,
Over waters of brown.
Life not a laugh,
But tears on a frown.
Ma Deuce the probe,
From water to sand.
She dug and scraped.
Her children scarred the land.
Days were short.
Nights were long.
Youth was young,
Minds and bodies strong.
Thrill of the ride,
Never replaced.
Held tight the faith,
Fated fear faced.
The waiting quiet,
In the dead of the night.
Deed done well,
Race back before light.
For some, a Section Eight.
Too hard the strain.
All kept hidden,
Things stored in the brain.
Did you go up the river,
On a dark, wet ride?
Did you lose your smile,
On a race with the tide?

Poet’s note: Note: This might help explain some of the terminology. Many people have had the experience of “going up the river” in one form or another. The words “rock and roll”, as used here, are slang for full automatic fire from a weapon. The words “Ma Deuce”, as used here, are slang for the Browning M-2 (Ma Deuce) .50 caliber machine gun. The words “Her children”, as used here, are her bullets. The words “Section Eight”, as used here, denote a discharge from the military because of physical or mental unfitness. So few seconds, or minutes, in the passing of time, can, and does, so often affect a person for the remainder of their life.

Do you have insightful, topical or just all around creative poetry that you’d like to share with the Benicia community? Submit your poems to beniciaherald@gmail.com, and they may be published in Friday’s Poetry Corner. and possibly online at BeniciaHeraldOnline.com. All ages are welcome to contribute, but the content must be appropriate. You do not need to be a resident of Benicia to submit your poem.

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