I see in memory a red-haired guy
who studied Marxist writings page by page,
and dreamed of blowing ROT-Cee to the sky:
now Eddie’s hair is turning pink with age.

While McNamara wasted boys to slow
the tide embarrassment from leaders’ feet,
my boyfriend advocated arms to blow
the guns away. He squandered all his heat.

In less than 30 years from bright red hair,
if Eddie could have waited, he would have
enough uncovered leader shame. We bare
by saturation news too much to salve
or salvage. Politicians are abused,
but Eddie’s now too wan to be amused.