While
down the avenue
I went strolling
I met all sorts
some gaily dressed.
No one heard
the thunder rolling1
some men
in pinstripes
conducted polling
of the few
encountering stress.
Along the mile
no longer golden
into each open door
I peered,
men and women
sat weary, leering
penniless
at the players
cheered.
While
approached
the setting sun,
among the blind
I found no one,
the flames,
the screams
to quell or soothe,
deceit to quit
in search of truth.
- Operation Rolling Thunder comprised nearly four years (1965 – 68) of continuous heavy bombardment of the Vietnamese people by the US regime. The main delivery vehicle were the F-105 fighter bombers. Accompanying Rolling Thunder was Arc Light, the use of B-52 high-altitude strategic bombers, for ground support. B-52 bombers flew so high that they could not be detected audibly until their payloads detonated.
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