And Accept What I Can't Poem by Roger Gerald Hicks

new. never tortured
.before. wasn't sure. i wanted
but. my job was.
that. or.Northern. Front. trench duty.
where
.none. i knew. returned
.with everything they left with.

go ahead, .peers said.... nothing. to it!
we're all.squeamish. initially..
they don't.really. feel
after a.few jabs.

toothless sargeant.
lost. foot, hand, . eye at the.. S. F.
.said, .Know. how your. guts
.growl, 'ts okay to.feel. for a fellow human.
Just 'magin. them
cattle-
Make it.easier.
They feel.like cattle, so's.better
for all.

true, tho. i never.
warmed. to it. like...the.men.
the.women, the.sick, the.elderly....
.but. .no. t.ho.u.gh.
...ne.ver..got..use. t.o..scre.am.ing.
.chi.ldre.n.
.th.eir..piti.ful..suf.ferings..bo.u.ght
..ol...age....
.woun't..change..
.a..thing.