From the Enemy with Love
Wherever there’s been conflict,
warriors have directed humorous
barbs at their foes by scrawling
‘dedications’ on ammunition
aimed at those being attacked
even though the dedicatees
would never be able to read them.
Bombs and shells that rain
down on Russia and Ukraine
will have “up yours Putin”
or “swallow that Zelenskyy”
or similar phrases on them.
Second World War Photos
in museums show sailors
chalking “take that Tirpitz”
on torpedoes, and airmen scribbling
“Happy Easter Adolph” on bombs.
Archaeology has confirmed
humans really haven’t evolved
at all in this respect in the last
three thousand years. About
eighty sling stones were found
at the site of the 41-40 BCE siege
of Perugia where Octavian’s army
had opposed the forces of Mark
Antony’s brother, Lucius Antonius.
Each sling stone, termed a glans,
was made of lead or clay and inscribed
with a pointed, often salacious, message
by the brutal and licentious soldiery:
“I’m searching for Octavian’s arse”
“Bald Lucius Antonius and Fulvia
prepare your arses”, as well as
“I’m aiming for Fulvia’s clitoris”,
each suggestively playing
with the double meaning of glans
and so, its intended targets.
Some are simply inscribed
“Take this, Octavian”; others:
“Greetings Octavian, cocksucker”,
deriding his sexual proclivities.
Horror Sleaze Trash 