The Vietnam Anti-war Movement

Kill or Be Killed

 

Kill or be killed is the battle cry 
Squeeze that trigger son and do not blink an eye 
In this bloody war you do not have a choice 
To kill you the enemy would not think twice

When using a grenade be sure to take good aim 
Throw it quick if you do not wish to be killed or maimed 
Booby traps are set everywhere 
Be very alert son and step with care 

Always watch your buddies' backs 
Be prepared for ambush attacks 
You must have nerves of steel 
Any weakness do not reveal 

When all is said and done 
As a soldier you are expendable son 
Now take your gear and do your best 
From you I expect nothing less 

 

 

 

The poem “Kill or Be Killed’ by Yvonne Legge describes the mindset of a soldier who is in the Vietnam War. It describes how the soldiers in the war are simply brainwashed just to kill the enemy. They need to kill whoever they can, and they cannot show any weakness. However, the speaker then says that they did not want to fight the war. This is because of how terrible the Vietnam war was. The speaker also discusses the anti-war movement from the soldiers, as they returned home to hate. But then the speaker references the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and how much it meant to honor the veterans, and how it stands for respect and understanding. Overall, this poem details the reactions of society to the war over time.