One Man's Mantra

I'm confused because I don't understand,

I don't understand because I'm confused.

Over and over this plays in my head

As I fill my canteens at the waterbull

On range 314 before the 12 mile hike.

Corpsman asks me if I'm okay,

I reply, "I'm confused because I don't understand,

I don't understand because I'm confused."

Lt. asks me if anyone has hurt me,

I reply, "I'm confused because I don't understand,

I don't understand because I'm confused."

Cpl. puts an e-tool in my hand and

Makes me kill a tarantula scurrying across the sand.

"Kill! Kill! Kill it!", he shouts at me.

I reply, "I'm confused because I don't understand,

I don't understand because I'm confused."

Rest of Hotel company steps off on the hike.

Hotel hell, sanity checks in but doesn't check out.

They put me in the back of the 3 ton truck.

I'm fucked now. I'm confused because I don't understand,

I don't understand because I'm confused.

I'm in the VA hospital now,

Can't feed myself or wipe my own ass.

I'm really fucked now, so young.

I'm confused because I don't understand,

I don't understand because I'm confused.