One poem by Hugh Martin that I enjoyed was M-16A2 Assault Rifle. Martin speaks about his gun as if it was his most prized possession. He takes more care of the weapon than his own self, saying “Some days I clean the rifle so it shines, a cold slice of darkness in grease-stained hands”. It seems odd to me that someone could look at an object that could destroy a life and cause so much destruction with such love and care, much like parents look at their own children. It is true that Martin’s gun is a weapon, but to him it is almost a means of protection. It’s the only thing that stands between him and survival.
Another example of Martin’s work that I thought was exceptionally good was the poem Desert Nocturne. Martin describes running out to save his clothes from the rain, but being too late. This poem had nothing to do with war or battle. It was a small memory that even people who have never been away at war can relate to. It makes Martin seem more human and not an unattainable idea.
Tim O’Brian and Hugh Martin share a sense of passiveness in their writing. They don’t seem to care about the war or the outcome. Even though they fought in two different wars, it is interesting that they share the same attitude. It goes to show what effect war can have on troops, even though they are being fought in different decades.
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