The Sergeant

Back in the days, several decades ago, all young men were subject to the military draft. Basic training was indeed an eye opener to so many. Here is a small taste of it.

The Sergeant

He had a limitless use of words
that the eighteen year old boys-
mostly college students-
would never use at home
and not often outside of home;
a display of grammar
of how a word could be used
as so many parts of speech.

There were other things he knew.
He knew he had thirty six separate guys
who had to become one.
He knew they had to have new skills.
Skills they didn't want to learn;
the skills of killing.
He knew they had to have
the skill of surviving.
They had to know
he was not human.

He taught them well.
In little ways the man
within the uniform
showed through.