The Soulful Veteran Speaks (poem) by Lloyd Lofthouse on AuthorsDen

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The Soulful Veteran Speaks
by Lloyd Lofthouse
Monday, September 21, 2009
Rated "PG" by the Author.

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Soldiers do not come home from war without baggage.

Bleeding words about war
Started with George in Korea
Killing machine gun kids
Moving quickly to R & R and Hookers galore

Back home there were
Hidden weapons and sleepless
Sweaty flashbacks
and a K-BAR held to a tender throat
In the hall late at night.

When the heavy artillery fired,
The ears rang bells for more than
Forty years with the volume
Turned down forever.

Watching The Hurt Locker,
Brought back memories
Better left buried.

What about the twenty-year-old
Canned food and eating native followed by
Lightning strikes that killed
and John Kerry's Purple Hearts?

Then came the war protesters
In a classroom—

Today's memory was about a letter
Ending with "Love".

The Soulful Veteran

My Splendid Concubine

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Reviewed by Jackie (Micke) Jinks	9/24/2009

Every time I hear of a listing of "casualties" in war, I know the count does not include those who come home batterred and crippled...and mostly "forgotten". This is our Nation's s-h-a-m-e! Our veterans deserve much more from our Government and people. Their stories should be told over and over again; your poem is raw and telling, as it should be. Thank you, Lloyd! Blessings and Love - Micke




Reviewed by Gene Williamson	9/22/2009

Lloyd, well said by a veteran who knows that for many (most) the war never ends. As you know, not all war protesters were in the classroom (understandably) but some of us vets of earlier wars were in the streets. Was anyone listening? So glad you're home where you belong--with your trusty pen in hand. -gene.




Reviewed by Louisa Dobbins	9/22/2009

It was sad, I greeted and worked with those who were sent back to work. Imagine, some of them got to my head. They never knew: I have learned that many of them are now dead.




Reviewed by Karen Palumbo	9/21/2009

There were many who returned home never to be the same again. The silent fears, the heartache at what was witnessed that remains forever as do the secrets you heart and soul holds... Be always safe, Karen




Reviewed by John Flanagan	9/21/2009

Lloyd, You've lived this, you know this, it's intimate, personal, real...and powerful as your writing always is. Good to see you post poetry again. John

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