Is it too much to ask
For a hug?
For a "Thank you"?
For a "How are you doing?"
For a salute?
For a "Welcome home, soldier, welcome home"?
Is it?
Is it?
IS IT??
I served my nation
I did my bit
Proudly--as best I could
There were times
I carried out orders
Against my wishes
I didn't want to
But had no choice
I did what I was told
Even though inside
I was screaming "NOOOOOOO!!!!!"
This goes against everything
I was taught and believe in
But I was a good soldier
I obeyed
I didn't want to kill
Another human being
Even though they were the enemy
They still had mommies and daddies
I didn't want to kill
Men
Women
Children O God the children--
Is it too much to ask
For a hug?
For a "Thank you"?
For a "How are you doing?"
For a salute?
For a "Welcome home, soldier, welcome home"?
Is it?
Is it?
IS IT??
I came home from the war
Wounded but alive
So many others didn't you know
THEY'RE NEVER COMING BACK
Many are still missing
God knows when they'll be found
Spit upon called "warmonger"
"Babykiller"
Told where to go how to get there
Forced to defend my actions
Forced to watch a burning flag
The flag I fought for so we YOU could be free
The nightmares O God the nightmares
I still hear the "whump" of mortarfire
Hear the screams of dying men
In the fire-filled night
And in the heat of hellish days
I'm hit
Where are you
JOHNNNNNNNNYYYYYYYYYY
I'm hit am I gonna die don't let me die
I still hear the death-rattle then SILENCE
As the sky turns blood red and my heart turns black with rage--
Is it too much to ask
For a hug?
For a "Thank you"?
For a "How are you doing"?
For a salute?
For a "Welcome home, soldier, welcome home"?
Is it?
Is it?
IS IT?????

(C) Karla Dorman, 2003/Revised 2003 (U.S.A.F., '83-85)