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Open Poetry #15
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You can't understand . . . Thank you , again, Sunshine.
| Open Poetry #15 |
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You can't understand . . . Thank you , again, Sunshine. |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
Inspired by Sunshine's "The Vet." ~*~ In WWI we had the doughboys and songs like "Over There" were written about them. And they welcomed them home with hugs and kisses. In WWII they wrote songs that were played by the "big bands" like Glenn Miller, Arte Shaw, The Dorsey Brothers, etc. And they welcomed them home with hugs and kisses. In the "Korean Conflict" the sentiments carried over from WWII. Back from Grenada came our boys and they welcomed them home with hugs and kisses. Back from Desert Storm came our boys and girls And they welcomed them home with hugs and kisses. The missing "war?" When we came back from Vietnam we were called "baby killers" and our own people spat upon us and our uniforms. I have heard some of my friends say that it was good that "so and so" didn't make it back 'cuz he can't be treated like a felonious leper. ~*~ we were trained soldiers we loved our country and flag we obeyed orders not many liked war dirt, filth, and fear aren't much fun death is real, final some were teenagers most were men in their twenties they all cared deeply it was so easy run to Canada to hide avoiding the draft we chose not to run certainly not from the draft nor from armed conflict it really takes guts not to run from rifle fire to face destiny what we did not know we were forsaken at home unwanted killers unwanted soldiers not recognized for too long nightmares persisted wrapped in our brave flag our hearts withstood the assault let no one else in you can't understand our pain and thoughts are all ours nightmares have faded we don't understand and I guess we never will we accept our fate |
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| © Copyright 2001 The Tall Texan aka Doctor Love - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Lady In White
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799USA |
Many now understand...it is those who were left on this side, not being able to get through the muddle of the media, watching the numbers rise, who somehow didn't grasp everything that was going on, until it was much too late. Somehow, the young men knew, but for the most part they went anyway... You understood. The Vets came back understanding they did as ordered, then the government never acknowledged their actions, much like Korea being the "police action" and not a war... well done Sir. [This message has been edited by Lady In White (edited 08-17-2001).] |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Great expression of a veterans experiences...James |
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BrightStar Member
since 2001-04-08
Posts 219 |
We will never know, but we can try. |
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jellybeans Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298 |
thank you for this, it does help, even penning a lack of understanding is a path towards it for the writer and the reader....hugs |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
it seems that only recently with all the movies and specials and pbs, are many learning how impossible it was to fight a war that was being fought at home too. I am from that period of time, yet I always felt for the soldiers there. Yes, there were demonstrations and many who went to Canada, and others who were able to stay in college to avoid the draft. I don't think anyone was against the men who were there...I believe they were against a government that allowed a death sentence... so many to be killed needlessly...not giving them the tools to do the job right..whatever they determined "right" to be. Maybe I am wrong...but I also believe that the downfall of my marriage and many others later in life has a lot to do with my husband reflecting on all he went through and his now wanting to have "fun" for the rest of his life with no accountability or responsibilties towards what would be considered the normal life. His alcoholism that has affected us also and not just him, but many others his age in this community, I believe started by the drinking in VN. I reread his letters to me a week ago, while going through my life and ...and for some reason, drinking came to me in every one...something I never noticed before...anyway..I always enjoy your thoughtful writings...and I am sorry if I am venting a bit on a personal note... Interloper, sometimes we are just too blind to see...sighing ~Wynter/Maureen "The worst prison would be a closed heart". |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
Well done Sir. . . a very well written poem. . . but, you know. . . I can only wonder where we would be right now. . . if they hadn't went. . . --------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
Lady ~ I can only speak for myself. I left the USA a proud member of the US Army. I returned a tired, proud member of the US Army that people abhored. I only wore my uniform twice in public ... both time it caused confrontations that I would have preferred to have avoided. James ~ Thank you. Not an easy write. BrightStar ~ Thank you for trying. I cannot understand another Vet's feelings anymore thanhe can understand mine ... it's just that we got them in the same place and broght them back to the same place. Jellybeans ~ Thank you for understanding that I don't understand ... yet I, also, try to understand. Nakdthoughts ~ I always love to hear from you and I appreciate your "venting" if that is what my work caused you to do  Sven ~ Had we not gone? Wow, I don't even want to think of that one! I never thought of that ... Would my friends still be alive? Would I have grown up in a different manner (I saw combat at age 18 1/2)? An appreciated reply from the GR8 Voice of the Northland |
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