Mama, I Can’t Take It No More

I used to date a beauty Queen
Now I see her in magazines.

When the Army came calling
          they took away my ragged, faded jeans
          and gave me their Army greens,
          put me in a barber’s chair
          and took away my hair.

They took away my school certificates
          and put them in a kit bag
Taught me how to kill
          and say “Yessir”.

They make me walk all the way with 50-kg luggage and 20-pound guns
          then feed me on Army biscuits and water.

They send me away into the jungle;
          make me walk in the desert
          and sleep in a body bag.

They sent me to the battle
          killed for them
          now they wanna kill me
          because I survived—
Mama, I can’t take it no more!