Prologue: By influence of Ho Chi Minh the Vietnam War is a strong reality,
Guerilla rebels from the North hastely recruit any able bodied civilian and
child to further their efforts against American forces. On January the 8th -
1966, America deployed 8000 troops, in Opertaion 'Crimp' inorder to deal
with any opposing 'resistance'. The Vietcong rebels 2nd infantry is running
reconissance in Da Nang for an American platoon deployed somewhere in
the area, whose mission is to prepare a base camp for any incomming ammo
which would be parachueted in via helicopter. This is a vital weakness that
must be taken advantage of, their mission...pursue, engage...eliminate.
...this is the story, of one of many child soldiers caught in the conflict...
Da Nang, 1966...
Vietnam - thick mist & debris of bombs,
A 12 year old, fighting along Vietcong,
Since an infant he - has been in fatigue,
Wielding a bayonet for the 2nd infantry,
Emotionless; affection he'll never show,
Cause conflict is, & all he'll ever know,
Oppose the clever foe, battling casually,
You either be: a combatant or casualty,
Complex strategy, but the plans simple,
Using Guerilla tactics, & hand signals,
Ear to the ground...hear many steppin',
Steady weapon - engage at any second,
A twig snaps!...echo of shots are heard,
Followed by a scattering flock of birds,
Stop-observe...checks & kicks a corpse,
Assured by 4 bullets that hit the source,
They pillage through the riddled camo,
For food, weapons, & what little ammo,
Rest is brief, ceased by distant shootin',
Lieutenant insists on persistent moving,
He trudges through thick dense terrain,
Against the grain with no sense of pain,
Covered by rifle aim & defensive range,
Waist deep in creeks & apparel soaked,
Hunting a scent of fear, & barrel smoke,
Dusk looms the horizon....his face damp,
Nearing the base camp, he gave thanks!
The target is close, 10 yards at the most,
14 soldiers asleep...2 guarding the post,
They laid in wait, & crept from the rear,
Their foot steps seemingly def to the ear,
Weapon is clear: in the case of a misfire,
Thats when a comrade hits the trip wire,
"& here I thought we be taking it over!"
The small bomb displacing his shoulder,
Leavin' his mutilated face in a smoulder,
The sudden blast...awakens the soldiers,
Quickly - he shoots, & mangles another,
While foes scatter, & scramble for cover,
Rifle jammed - so he let that pistol spray,
Ducked to hear the ping! of the ricochet,
Grenade blows & allies swept by debris,
All thought drowned out by weaponary,
His heart began racin' as his chest sank,
He saw a barrage shred up his left flank,
Thats when a stray bullet strikes his gut,
& at this point, he knows his night is up,
He clutches his stomach, closes his eyes;
Lying there he...jerks...twitches...dies...
*gun fire fades into the night*
"300,000 children under 18 are currently exploited as
child soldiers, numbers are statistics...their life is a reality"
