November 6, 2024

my next door neighbor, a Vietnam War Navy nurse

serving aboard the USS Coral Sea on the Gulf of Tonkin,

now 75 and living a peaceful, singular life in apartment 501

with an expansive view of the Taunton River’s northern beginnings,

was curious as to what was going to happen to “people like us”

and I said: “well, we’re going to have to wait to see how

this will affect "people like us”,–– but I should’ve said:

“we’re screwed and thank you for your service”.