Baby
how many have you pretended
to kill
in your imaginary
mind?
I hope all your bullets
are smart
and colored red, blue and
white.
Instead of society thinking
your sick
they’ll just call your coloring
cute.
momma dresses
baby like a killer
she calls him daddies little
soldier
momma says
if baby’s ever scared
daddies got a big old
gun
momma says
if baby’s ever bored
draw daddies enemies
dead
Earthworm Envy 
This poem makes me sad. It makes me think of my son playing violent video games. First of all, I’m not a big fan of video games to begin with so I’ll admit I’m slightly biased, but I’m even less of a fan of violent games that make a game of killing people or humanoids. I come from a family that is full of violent platitudes regarding guns, nationalism, hunting and giving this attribute to ‘manhood’. (although I do have to give several of my brothers credit for working to alter this mentality) This is something that I have always believed to be detrimental to the health of our minds, hearts, families and society. It reduces our connection to one another as human beings & increases the disconnect in reality of our human condition. When I read this poem, it speaks to the notion that soldier boys & killing is somehow a test of masculinity as well as the theme of murderous thoughts in the name of nationalism being okay – as long as they are ‘american’ nationalist thoughts against our supposed enemies, otherwise it is viewed mental illness. I see that your poem was posted on December 30th, but in reflection of the most recent shooting in Arizona – it’s a chilling foreshadowing of this week’s tragedy.
Thanks for the honesty. The poem started out as a song. While traveling on the California central coast I came across The Soldier Gallery. It bothers me to see such blatant military nationalism sold as toys and art. I hope this poem makes a person think twice before buying a GI Joe or putting on camo underwear.