No Mercy

In the factory I was not unique

Thousands were created, in just a week

Placed in crates, and moved along

Soon we reached, the great Haiphong

Off the ship, and onto the dock

Sweating men, who worked the clock

Onto a truck, and down a bouncy road

Arriving at a warehouse, to be stowed

Weeks went by, in that lonely crate

Waiting for someone, to deal my fate

Then one day, I heard some voices

They’d come for me, like human horses

Some brief sunlight, and then into a pack

I knew for a fact, I’d not be back

Down the trail, for days on end

Dodging the Americans, around each bend

Soon we arrived, at the mighty Mekong

There to be turned over, to the Viet Cong

He was on a mission, the mighty Nguyen

To meet up with his comrades, in the U Minh

After days of travel, they finally arrived

In the jungles, where the Viet Cong thrived

Planning at night, for the next day’s attack

I was getting excited, for my time to act

Nguyen crept slowly, launcher in hand

Ducking and hiding, it was his land.

I could hear the boats, coming down the river

Nguyen was brave, but I felt him quiver

He snatched me quickly, from his pack with ease

Gently turning my fins, and then he squeezed

Placing me securely, in the tube for action

Adjusting his site, just a little fraction

The lead boat appeared, into his sight

Full of solid iron, weapons and might

Nguyen softly trembled, as he heard the din

One more ambush, he hoped they’d win

The Tango was to be, my target this day

Full of anxious troops, I’d have my way

Trigger soon pulled, I felt such great power

It had finally become, my greatest hour

The air felt humid, as tip hit home

Entering the bar armor, I slid through foam

Burning the steel, like a cutting tool

My purpose was solely, to be oh so cruel

As I break through, I see some men

Not aware of what force, came from Nguyen

The mighty explosion, sends me everywhere

Catching the men, with no one to spare

Red hot shrapnel, piercing their sinew

Changing the lives, of a mighty few

Searing muscles, and breaking bones

Doing my job, in the IV Corps Zone

Two died instantly, others lay wailing

For years my wrath, will leave them ailing

Piercing their organs, is my greatest joy

Taking the lives, of the young warrior boys

Now in the desert, or upon the roof tops

We rockets still come, from a good crop

Made for destruction, carrying out our role

The years have been good, we taken our toll

Today it’s Humvees, and Abram tanks

Our new generation, gives their thanks

A moment in time, awaiting their orders

The crate will open, for their porters

Carried once again, to some distant land

Ready as usual, to deal their hand

Burning through bodies, with no respite

Powerful rockets, full of deadly might

Michael A. Harris – 12/14/04

Republic of Vietnam – 7/68 to 7/69