“Rite of Passage” by Peter Wiesner

You say there is something missing in my life
deprived of proving my manhood
in the jungles of Vietnam.

Instead of murdering for democracy
I swatted flies at the home front
never had the chance to be sorry.

You were a soldier.
You killed for helicopter love
and deserted the woman of your dreams.

For more poems by Peter, pick up a copy of FIVE Vol. 1 No. 3.