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Jana Tovey Member
since 2000-05-30
Posts 257USA |
We stood outside the student union waving our banners high angry chants split the air our feelings about the illegal war were echoing through the campus and calling upon others to join the march against the Machinery of War. Meanwhile you waded through the swamps scared of what might lurk beyond the tall grasses on the bank or in the hollows down below the land where enemies quietly listened for the sound of your feet falling softly on the soil of their motherland. You felt betrayed by all our protests the marches felt like nails in the coffin containing your Honor but it wasn’t you that we were rallying against it was the Scepters of Death that lurked above you, handing down missions like the gods that they felt themselves to be. Oh, all you soldiers out of Vietnam you came home to no parade, no welcome, although you had fought bravely and risked more than just your lives - for a concept that meant nothing to all those who pulled strings from positions of security and safety while it was you and your brothers who died. Still forgotten are the young men who left with bright eyes and glad hearts, to fight a War for Democracy, or so they thought. And as black market funds filled the already bulging pockets of the power hungry men within the War Machine it was the young men who came home to face the scrutiny over the wasted time called war, a war that never really was a war... A war known by the name of PROFIT....although only for a few. |
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Swåmp¤Faerÿie Member
since 2000-03-29
Posts 358Illinois |
War is such a sad thing....it really serves no purpose,but that's the way things are. You've written another great historical verse,i enjoyed reading it alot. It really made me think,i'd never realized that SOMEONE was profiting from war,never really thought about that. Great great great poem!! swampola And there she weaves by night and day, a magic web of colours gay.~Tennyson |
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Tramp Poet Senior Member
since 2000-01-06
Posts 754Could Be Anywhere... |
a powerfull and disturbing account. Shall we never forget the bodybags that bought the ticket for those who rode the ride called "war machine." And even more disturbing is the fact that the ones who came home in the bag were the lucky ones. Please, say a prayer for those who may never leave "in country." bleeding... "Tis ink coming from his arm, Captain!" |
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Dennis L. White Senior Member
since 2000-02-17
Posts 1463Michigan, U.S.A. |
Jana, What talent you posess, every post shows what a gifted and prolific writer you are. Vietnam, what memories you bring back to mind with your vivid imagery. Thanks for sharing your vision here. Your balanced prespective is also appreciated. Dennis :^) Moonbeams radiate As the veiling cloud has past Playful shadows dance! D.L.White :^) |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
A powerful poem on the futility of war, thanks for sharing. I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men coughing out their gassed lungs. I have seen the dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed... I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war. Franklin D. Roosevelt War is at its best barbarism... Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have never fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell. General William Tecumseh Sherman speech to the Michigan Military Academy, 1879 ------------------------ "Here chewing your tail is joy" Richey Edwards "Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time". Baltimore Grotto "Will you accuse me as I hide Behind these layers of disguise And the mirrors of my own happiness.I've loved the freedom of being inside Need a new start and a different time Something grows in the space between me And it's twisting and changing this fragile body" -Nicky Wire |
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William P Bussey Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 188 |
Jana, you paint a watered down verson of the protest scene, I know what your trying to say, and I agree in some respects, but the profiteers were not the ones being spit on and called baby killers when they came home from there, it was an unjust war, a needless war, but the men who fought it were brave and deserved more than what their country and, the people, gave them. |
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Jana Tovey Member
since 2000-05-30
Posts 257USA |
Thanks for all of your comments. Yes, I agree, William. Alot of those boys had no choice about going to war, either, as they were drafted into service. Most protesters were hypocritical in that they chose the easy target, rather than the right target, to vent their frustrations on. True protesters of this war (not rabble rousers, malcontents, or sheep-people who jumped on the band wagon and were acting out for all sorts of reasons, like Hanoi Jane) wanted to end the war for all that were directly involved. I am not justifying their actions, just as I am not justifying the actions of any of the other "players" in this war. I know how betrayed these boys felt then and still continue to feel now. And they were betrayed all round, but especially by those who kept this scam going for reasons that had nothing to do with the spread of democracy. |
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Lost Dreamer Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464Somewhere near the Rainbow |
Jana, Your poem is powerful and well written, war never makes any sense it's just a power play for those who shout the orders. |
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childomine Senior Member
since 2000-01-25
Posts 818st. petersburg, FL |
Jana - very powerful piece of work. You're absoulutely right about the "powers that be" doing it for the wrong reasons. Puppets on a string. Absolutely. They were called to fight for their country and did so, regardless. As with being sent into this particular war - they were mistreated, talked down, spit on and shunned upon return. I like that your poem doesn't judge them but unfortunately they have already been judged by so many. Good job. ...Give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is.... Black Eagle Oglala Sioux holy man |
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Alle'cram Senior Member
since 2000-02-28
Posts 1816Texas |
Jana, You captured the very spirit of that war!! I share your pain for our young men & women of that war. Some never knew, died. Those returning home, some, still bear the scars our system inflected onto them. Words of truth and light shed where there is still so much darkness. Great job & thanks. marcy |
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