It is hard to be reminded of the cruelty of war. Although this is a well crafted piece, it still hurts to know.

I agree with what you say in the introduction...

Take care!

AXILEA

This poem struck me right in the heart. I could only imagine the hell and hate along with the tears of Vietnam. Memories, each of them will carry the rest of their lives. I'll cry a tear tonight Fee, for all of those who never came back. I salute you on this one.

So true and yet so sad,the price you have to pay for freedom. very well written Felix. Thank you, Love your Cuz, Rose XOXO

So very sad, but so very needed in the world of today AND yesterday. It's those moments you write of that have happened in every war since time began. The sad price of freedom. Nicely done!

Felix,

Wow, I know this to be true. So many of my brother's friends (and my 1st) husband came back from Viet-Nam very different people. God bless them all.

You've written a stark piece of a very sad situation.

Janny xoxoxo

A very loving heartfelt write Felix, it puts me in mind of a movie with MJ Fox some years ago, where he did all he could to save the woman, and took a battering for it, either way the boys get battered emotionally when they go into save women children and men who have been wounded or worse.
Wonderfully penned.
Ty :)
Ch'erie

Fleix you have written a very emotional poem of what a soldier in the field feels, when he comes on devastation and a young child is the victim. It is sad that mothers, children and whole families are destroyed by bombs, gunshots, hand grenades, rockets launched from the ships nearby. I HATE WAR!!! Thnx for sharing dear brother. May the Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, stubborn to a fault, joy to the world, peace on earth, & (((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your still sad and terrified little sister, Barbie

"If I have to be this girl in me, Then I may as well be."

War is hell and you say it well, Felix. Merci mon ami. Love and peace to you.

Regis

Great write! Bravo, poet!

Felix,
There are many sides to a soldier's pain, and there are many sides to their victories. They are warrior, fighter of freedom, yet they are parent, son, brother, caretaker, and human. Without them, we would not be. They carry not only the spirit of greatness within them, they carry the burden of death and they carry it with the respect it deserves.
This is a very compassionate and caring write Felix, and it stands alone in the clarity it brings to the side of the soldier we sometimes forget exists. The human side.
Great work!

Lisa

Wow...forcefull and dynamic, and full of compassion.
Enjoyed...

I salute the guys and girls that are over there fighting to keep the country that I live in free from terrorists. I would like to send each and every one of the a copy of this poem, but can only send it to the ones that I know, and maybe they will share it with someone else. I shed a tear of my own while reading this one. Really good. Karen

War is hell...as grateful as I am to all who have had the heart and the courage to serve so that I can have the life I do today, I am equally as grateful that I never was the one who was called to be the warrior. Don't misunderstand me, I would do the job if I was called to, for freedom, I honestly believe, is worth the fight; but I thank God that it was not my destiny to be a soldier.
Take care,
Sherry

Felix this is a masterpiece
thanks for sharing

an most vivid glimpse into a soldier's enduring heartache ...

An outstanding piece of poetry! Sad...

Sandie May Angel a.k.a. Sandie Angel :o(

None of us can ever know the truth of each individual serving soldier's personal hell, but some have great empathy and insight into it, such as you display here, Felix. Almost too painful to contemplate, this tearing of the self in half - devotion on the one hand and duty on the other. There is the objective realities of war which we all can know something about... but the subjective torments of all those caught up in the personal traumas on both sides of the fence must be absolutely soul-destroying. You are brave and strong to tackle such a subject in this way, and have done so with both a journalistic and personal touch. Very well done, Felix! The images speak for themselves. Bless you. Kate xx

my father would have cherished this I am sure

well done

Felix,

Painful...very painful. There are no winners at war. Excellent, shattering write.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

wow, too much...this was painful to read

Par excellence....Imagery just way too vivid!!

Love Tinka

Ah, Felix, the horrors of war. Even if the cause be just, and I'm not even attempting to take sides on the current war, the horrors remain for the soldiers and the people. Poignant write.

Felix , absolutely excellent piece!
Really well expressed and truth of this sad reality
is very moving! Really well done my friend!
Peace and joy to you and yours',

Rich Criso Suarez