Bring the War Home
Artist
The Alternative Press
Artist
William Matthews
Daten.d.
MediumLetterpress on paper
DimensionsPaper Size: 12 × 8 in. (30.5 × 20.3 cm)
ClassificationsPrint
Credit LineGift of Gary Eleinko, 2023
Object numberUAC7442.09
DescriptionLetterpress printed poem by William Matthews, titled "Bring the War Home". Bring the War Home
In its tenth year we realize
the war will always live with us,
some drooling Uncle Cockroach
who won't die. Why should he? We don't want to.
He's our obvious secret,
an insect in amber, a bad marriage the kids
won't believe we fought for their sakes.
It's too late for them to take
their country back, it's three legged
dogs and seedlings and medical
technique you couldn't learn
in three decades of peace.
They're ours-didn't we save their lives?
And we are theirs.
Our guilt is the heroin of Vietnam,
the best smack on the streets.
Published by The Alternative Press, Issue Number 5.
