Fort Carson, 1969

Eight inch guns debauched the silent dawn.
Their thunder echoed off a distant ridge.
The Colorado foothills filled with snow
while young men learned the art of cannonade.
Correcting elevation, azimuth
and wind, a sweep of detonating shells
drew dotted lines of ruin across the hills
till one projectile crossed the target point
and gave concussive proof of marksmanship.
The team of boys felt surging pride in work
done well—a merit badge in field artillery
would lead to eagle rank before they drove
their cannons out across the distant Asian
fields, toward their final quiet frontier.