Interview With Sgt. Davis, Kabul, 2012
“Am I sorry I enlisted? Hmm…”
The reporter waits as the sergeant takes
one long draw on a Lucky. She
exhales her answer in a cloud:
“At first, yeah. I mean, you’re
surrounded by big ole boo-rah boys,
they’re staring at your boobs. Little
whispers, lick their lips, high school shit.
“Faces like little boys opening
Christmas presents: “This one
is MINE!” Like I’m a thing, like
that chess piece? A pawn.
“Then the testosterone starts: A
shove at my shoulder, telling me
I don’t belong here. And that was
in Boot, in the States, you hear me?”
Sgt. Davis falls silent and takes
another drag. “I remember the
final attempt to break my pride.
Three against one: the showers.
“Taking turns, daring me to scream,
saying ‘Call your mama, little girl,’
and I don’t tell the sarge, ‘cause if
I do, they’re gonna do it again.
“Tried to bust me, but they were wrong.
My grandma raised me, she used to say
God only makes beauty; it’s people
make their own selves ugly.
“She’s in my dreams. We’ll be rocking
on the front porch, sipping coffee.”
Pause. A sip of bitter brown hot.
“Here’s the thing. I know they finally
figured out I got as much fire in the belly
as any of them punkass boys. Now I’m
their sergeant. They do what I say, and
women in my unit are safe, protected.
“Well, time to fire up my unit. We’re
outta here at oh-two-hundred, night raids.
One thing… I’m proud to serve, but what
we’re serving up here is bullshit, you hear?
“Write it down: BULL. SHIT. Women’s
life here, worse that anything I ever saw
back home, and we’re doing nothing that
won’t go back to the old ways.
“Nice talkin’ to ya.” She grins and extends
a knuckle-bruised, weathered hand. “Time to
kick some ass in the name of democracy and
Burger King, keep burqas off the women for a while.”
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sunday Whirl gave us a baker’s dozen. See the Wordle HERE and check out other poets! Also on the sidebar at my port in any storm, Poets United. PEACE, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivinfrance
The ultimate in Wordle poems: I didn’t realise it was the Wordle until the end. You are so right about nothing useful being served by all those lives lost.
Misky
I’m with Viv on this one. I had no idea this was a Wordle until the end. Great write, Amy!
oldegg
Clearly the problem is that once the troops are withdrawn any improvements that were made in the country will fast disappear. Our purpose there is not to bring democracy and equal rights, or to end opium growing, it is solely to dissuade the militant extremists from attacking our own countries in the future. We cannot make people love us, to them we are in the wrong. With regard to sexual abuse, that is definitely our problem.
on thehomefrontandbeyond
excellent is all I can say
Roger Green
There’s a “guy” mentality, almost a “good old boy” regardless of geography, that I’ve NEVER understood, obviously stronger in the military. Yes, well stated (unfortunately) as usual, Amy.
PJF Sayers
Holy Cow! Amelita you never cease to amaze me. This timely and I fear all too true. The wordle words cleverly disguised in this, I agree with Viv and Misky. On a side note, I am heartsick over Gaza and Israel, all of those innocent women and children. The madness is escalating, when will it stop.
Pamela
Sherry Blue Sky
Amy, this is BRILLIANT. I can see her. I wish they would put her, saying these words, on the six oclock news all over the world. Sigh. Is there any way to do that? Brilliant, kiddo. Says it all.
Lance
i love her attitude and the snark at the end was perfect.
julespaige
You could have been talking to my niece. She was in Kabul. But she doesn’t smoke – not that I know of anyway. Everything imagined or real in that interview is true. I still can’t figure out how since women out number men, how ‘they’ got to be in charge. I like the sentence where you describe that people make their own ‘ugly’.
Thanks for visiting my combined short forms contribution for the Whirl.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Tumblewords
Oh, Amy. Superb job. Superb. Thank you for writing it,
whimsygizmo
Amy, this is STUNNING. Powerful and poignant and perfect. So.Well.Done.
brian miller
dang amy…she is a strong woman, that tells it like it is…dont ask the questions if you dont want the answer…ugh…and don’t tell cause they will do it again…nothing useful in lives lost…truth…
ihatepoetry
Kick ass good, my sistah. That’s the side the recruiting ads don’t show. Wonderful poem, as always. love, Mosky
Serena
Wow Amy, I felt this like a kick in the gut… this is great, amazing, powerful…. you are one very talented writer… I am in awe.
hobgoblin2011
pretty neat, love the character shown here and the use of an interview format is really cool
enthusiasticallydawn
I am amazed at how the dialogue carries the poem, tells the story and then how it is so revealing. I’m choking on the smoke. 😉
brenda w
Strong write, Amy. Women were targeted this year in the election. I felt a punch to my soul. I love “she exhales her answer in a cloud,” and then her answer. Thanks for giving her voice, and for bringing dreams of her grandmother into the piece.
hedgewitch
I like the interview format very much here, and the way it develops the theme so personally and rationally. Not to mention the impact of the feel of unvarnished truth.
Colleen@looseleafnotes
Good to use the poet’s tool to tell a hard truith. She tells it like it is but I still can’t help wishing they were prosecuted.
Mary
A gut-level, down to earth write, Amy! Calling it just like it is. And it sometimes ain’t pretty.
hypercryptical
Amazing write Amy of what is.
Anna :o]
Mama Pajama
scary, true, and another one out of the park for you. jeez…how do you keep going back in there to drag it out? I’d have killed someone by now…♥
dani
this FEELS like a live interview! i have been increasingly depressed over the conditions women and girls are subjected to around the world and i’m sure you’re right ~ once our troops have left the area, women will be as restricted as they ever were.
powerful write, Amy!
♥
kaykuala
That’s the real story? Gosh, this is one fighting spirited lady that can give those rowdies a hell of a time! Yes, Women would have to fight back to be respected or they get thumbed and bullied! Nicely Amy!
Hank
Polly Robinson
Thanks for showing me this poem, Amy. I’ve worked with service people and heard stories too. This is some write. Well done.