World War 3

A poem by D.S. Maolalai

he finds he gets away with

not joining the army. it's through being medically

colourblind. it is fine – he is never

considered a coward, though he

is a coward. glad

he doesn't have to join the army.

they are desperate for men

but he holds his excemption

in his wallet and shows it

whenever he's asked.

he's married, but there are many

young women about, and not very many

young men. it's not of much value.

his wife is already a beautiful woman

and she's happy that he's still at home.

during the war it is easy to find work

and afterward he will have experience

so he believes that it will remain easy.

he thinks he should maybe learn

the language of the enemy

on the chance that they win

but that's hard.