by Jimmy Pappas

We stood together
in front of the grocery store
handing out orange poppies
and American flags
for donations to help veterans.

I listened to his explanation
of how Agent Orange
destroyed his body,
left children with birth
defects, and devastated
the land and people
of South Vietnam.

Then it was time to go home,
but first he went into the store
to get something to spray
on his dandelions because,
I hate those little yellow bastards.