He was sent to fight a war
Never really knowing what for
Told he was fighting communism
When actually it was for capitalism.
Going in-country
Fungus eating at his feet
Trudging through the rice paddies
Searching for the VC
Writing letters back home
Knowing tomorrow he could be gone
Wishing he could talk to his mom
Feeling so god-awful lonesome.
Just an average American boy
Who used to look at guns as toys
Watching his friends die one by one
Their bodies lying in the sun.
Used to smoke nothing but cigarettes
Now he's into pot, opiods, and hash
Uses them to take his mind away
To a time where he would like to stay.
Anxiously waits for the mail to come
Praying it won't be a "dear John"
Wonders how in the hell he got to this place
All these dead men, it's such a waste.
When he left, he was just a boy
Who looked at life with such joy
Now he's grown into a cynical man
Who no longer dares to plan.
Dedicated to all the Vietnam Vets, and especially Jimmy Tallent (1952-1972), a dear friend who left for Vietnam seeing angels and came back seeing demons. God bless you, Jimmy.
a sensitive and empathetic write-such a travesty for these boys all the way around
Reviewed by Donald Balsley (Reader)
Reviewed on April 6, 2009
Very, very nice. I would expand on it a little for it covers all the wars vets. Those of us that served, but did not have to face the hell some did, "Thank You Father". God Bless Don
A very nice tribute! Well done!
I can relate because I spent 24 yrs. in the service. My friend Vinny went to Viet Nam when he returned he was not the same.
God Bless them all.
This poetry definetly made me smile, been there, done that, different year, but same theory, luck was on my side, but I wish no other the same ride... Operation Desert Storm, short war but I was in it, or shall we say in the middle of it...
Roger and Birgit
I will always respect the vietnam vet's. My wife and I took care of a paralysed viet nam vet for 7 years. He passed a year ago. Honor to your poem, and to all vets. Amen. Leslie
Reviewed by Silke Lance, Dr. Ph (Reader)
Reviewed on December 7, 2004
A wonderful tribute.
Very powerful.
Thanks for sharing.
Seems like history repeats itself and gets more intense every time. God bless all of those who are caught in the crossfire. Angels will always watch over the innocent.
blessin', very nice poem, a tribute created with true soul.
cynth'ya lewis reed
This reminds me of my two uncles who served in Nam, one talks about the time he saw over there -- the other doesn't. One jumped out of the helicopters and the other repaired generators. This is a good write, and one that needed to be said.
angels become demons to us in places like those battlefields...thanks for writing this poem...it helps me to understand a little better the pain those heroes suffer...very well-crafted poem.
poignant read,
married two nam vets, one died never knowing the country had finally made a half way thanks to those who fought,
the other lives with nightmares and limping and cuts to vets and less va benefits
Reviewed by Susan Cook-Jahme (Reader)
Reviewed on August 14, 2003
Sad - well written.
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on August 11, 2003
Jeez! Ya gotta stand in line around here just to make a comment. Here is mine: THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS.
Powerful poem, Christy. As a Korean Vet, I know the truth embedded in your words. See my poem "BBQ on the Grass" at http://www.authorsden.com/jcharlescheek
John
Christy this tugs at the heart strings and helps one relate to our military boys.
Reviewed by Dennis Michels (Reader)
Reviewed on September 10, 2002
If only history were a chaulk board and bad memories chaulk marks. Then the kindness of a poets would could erase the pain and return the joy.
Reviewed by Sherry Russell BCBT BCETS (Reader)
Reviewed on June 25, 2002
Christy,
Such powerful words. I shed tears reading this insightful poem. It brought back the memories of friends and cousins taken from this life way to soon in a war where the rules seemed constantly up for grabs. As I always thank any veteran I meet for his/her service, I would like to thank you for writing this sensitive jewel. Thanks Sherry
sensitive
Christy,
You've touched a heart with this poem. Having a relative who fought the awful batle
in Nam, I have seen first hand how war can ruefully destroy a persons life, not to mention
how their reflections on such a war can embed a persons mind. Although my husbands' uncle did not
do the things mentions in your poem and he had a family who was there for him when he
returned, it is still hard for him to discuss the mahem and destruction that reached out for
him in so many ways. My prayer is that this whole world can live in peace and know that God
is God for everyone.
Joyce Rapier
Windy John's me 'n tut
authorsden.com/joycelrapier
Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)
Reviewed on May 28, 2002
I truly hope that the with time the demons will leave their minds. Charlie a special person to me; fought his demons to his death. I hope he has found peace.
Thank you for this sad but true dedication to our nam vets...they deserve more...for what they endured from their own countrymen...due to the atmosphere of the times
Reviewed by Dens Dreamweaver (Reader)
Reviewed on April 9, 2002
I remember as a child watching my dad as he left for 'Nam. I don't think I had a clue as to what that even meant back then. I was one of the lucky ones. My dad made it back, and was even able to refind his joy in life. Many, many of his friends weren't so lucky. May God bless them all, in my book they are all Hero's. And we, as a nation, should be ashamed of the way they were treated ( and still are treated) when they came home....
Love and Light
dreamweaver
Mushroom Cloud, a fact-based historical novel, is the first book of The First Strike Trilogy: USA and the Soviet Union are building nuclear arms for a face off in a potential nuclear war in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
An illustrated developmental history of the American military chemical and biological protective respirator for use against war agents, this work provides photographs of actual respirator specimens and several useful appendices, in addition to its en
Mushroom Cloud, a fact-based historical novel, is the first book of The First Strike Trilogy: USA and the Soviet Union are building nuclear arms for a face off in a potential nuclear war in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
A very nice tribute! Well done!
I can relate because I spent 24 yrs. in the service. My friend Vinny went to Viet Nam when he returned he was not the same.
God Bless them all.
Roger and Birgit
Very powerful.
Thanks for sharing.
Reg.
Seems like history repeats itself and gets more intense every time. God bless all of those who are caught in the crossfire. Angels will always watch over the innocent.
blessin', very nice poem, a tribute created with true soul.
cynth'ya lewis reed
A very well-poised and poignant poem...well penned!
Robert
Hugs,
Victoria
Karen
married two nam vets, one died never knowing the country had finally made a half way thanks to those who fought,
the other lives with nightmares and limping and cuts to vets and less va benefits
This is excellent. The descriptions are REMARKABLE! They truly opened my senses. This is a very tender and fitting tribute!
Thank you,
Emilie
Thanks for these words and your dedication.
E.W. Richardson, USMC, Vietnam 1969-70
powerful, heartbreaking poem...well done.
(((i'm sorry for the loss of your friend)))
((((HUGS)))) and love,
karla. :(
John
Such powerful words. I shed tears reading this insightful poem. It brought back the memories of friends and cousins taken from this life way to soon in a war where the rules seemed constantly up for grabs. As I always thank any veteran I meet for his/her service, I would like to thank you for writing this sensitive jewel. Thanks Sherry
sensitive
You've touched a heart with this poem. Having a relative who fought the awful batle
in Nam, I have seen first hand how war can ruefully destroy a persons life, not to mention
how their reflections on such a war can embed a persons mind. Although my husbands' uncle did not
do the things mentions in your poem and he had a family who was there for him when he
returned, it is still hard for him to discuss the mahem and destruction that reached out for
him in so many ways. My prayer is that this whole world can live in peace and know that God
is God for everyone.
Joyce Rapier
Windy John's me 'n tut
authorsden.com/joycelrapier
Love and Light
dreamweaver
~~michael~~