We Put On The Uniform Poem by Maggie DeMay

We put on the uniform
all became one
lost in the formation
boots on the ground
rifles at the ready
Soldiers

We put on the uniform
cut all our hair
my braids fell on the floor
gone


The boots didn't fit
our smaller feet
grenades were made
for larger hands
everything was sized
for men
but

We put on the uniform
became soldiers
who wore perfume
because even if we looked like men
damned if we'd smell like them

We put on the uniform
and went to war
but most of the time
the enemy
stood next to us

We put on the uniform
We did what all soldiers do
we loved and lost
got drunk got laid got into brawls
fought, and bled and died
a long way from home

We put on the uniform
Once we were women
now we are soldiers
tiny boots on the ground
rifles at the ready
Soldiers who wore perfume