LONG AGO LOVE

I had just been on R and R, rest and relaxation. What the hell is that? You sure can't relax and it ain't no rest. It is like that Joe Sputnik cloud hanging over you, the old time cartoon of the Li'Abner character. You have to go back to that hellhole called Vietnam.

She had that classic Vietnamese look, probably from the Cholon district of Saigon. Saigon is one of those cites that isn't pretty but, has an energy that is hard to beat.  The endless long buildings, slapped together like so much local on steroids. It is like a jungle without the vegetation. The narrow streets are like tiny alleys of a labyrinth. The alleys are everywhere, with a possibility of eats from carts, gourmet for sure. Mostly little old ladies wielding spatulas moving with intension to feed all for a few piaster’s but dollars are better. She's standing across the street, looking at me. She has that look, a look that she thinks American GIs like: big, ugly platform shoes. Leather. She kept glancing at me. She's thinking how to approach. I am so damn tired that I'm not sure I even want to think about a women. Oh wow, it was a glorious first night.

I’m seriously thinking about going AWOL (absent without leave). Why didn’t I stay in Hawaii anyway. I could have gotten lost, made it back to the States, gone to Canada. What in the hell am I doing back here. This war is shit. I’ve lost half my squad to bullshit. We fight for something and then give it right back to Charles (Viet Cong). Fuck.