UXO Ashtray

Sometime you have to take a very serious situation and talk about it in a less than grave (no pun intended) wording. I hope no one is offended by my treatment of this very serious incident.


Dateline: Iraq - - - a KBR subcontracted fire-fighter picked up Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)...155mm artillery round.-.brought it back to his office. While using as ashtray, the round started smoking. He took round outside where it detonated, causing his death...no other injuries or property damage. Commanders are re-emphasizing UXO safety briefings to heighten awareness.

UXO Ashtray

I found this round out walking
I brought it home that day
Put it there upon my desk
In our office bay
One day it started smoking
While used as an ashtray
I took it out into the yard
Into the light of day

The staff all laughed and pointed
As I ran out of the room
I held it out in front of me
I didn’t leave too soon
Then all at once it happened
It fizzled then – KA-BOOM
And ashes, just mere ashes
Are buried in my tomb!

Mdailey