Eleven-year-old
Fishes from an aluminum Jon boat,
In Dorcheat Bayou in south Arkansas.

Red and white float drifts on the water
As bored as he is.
He watches the bank for water moccasins –
Danger may lurk.

Mosquitos keep him slapping
Dragonflies flit by
Frogs and crickets and other critters
Provide sound effects –
A low hum of nature in the otherwise silent world.

Until the roar, the unexpected, ear-splitting roar
Of a fighter jet from Barksdale tearing by
Just above the tree line
Dropping flourbags to the earth.

Practicing for Vietnam.