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Casualty of War
| Open Poetry #19 |
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Casualty of War |
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His Poet Senior Member
since 2001-12-18
Posts 750 |
He stands on the corner in a camouflage jacket Unkempt, unemployed, unwelcome His cardboard sign says, “Will work for food” It’s hard to make eye contact Oh, please, let the light turn green Doors locked ~ windows rolled up Hermetically sealed from the truth Thank you, Lord. He didn’t approach the car Then why is my heart so heavy? Oh, I know he was once clean- shaven His hair must have been dark and wavy He played high school football ~ girls smiled He smiled back with dazzling white teeth Then his world changed Standing in line with boys, trying to be men Guns, ammo and anxiety, all shoved aboard a transport plane Landing in hell ~ wait, it’s too green to be hell But hell, it’s hot enough! Sweat, insects and death Welcome to paradise, Son. Then why is this a nightmare? Eardrums echo with machine gun fire, Drown the sound in piss hot beer ~ smoke a little dope Yeah, that’ll dull the pain Dodge the bullet, man ~ time’s short Then why does it seem like eternity? The wounds are invisible ~ they’re all in his mind Stinking death and land mines blew his heart to pieces Shrapnel cuts his emotions to shreds ~ flashbacks blind reality He stands on the corner in a camouflage jacket One more living casualty of war. Cheryl McClellan 2/8/2002 |
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| © Copyright 2002 His Poet - All Rights Reserved | |||
Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
Maybe yes, maybe no. Not all of us Vietnam Vets are mind cases and not all mind cases are Vietnam Vets Interesting story here where a panhandler, claiming to be a Vietnam vet (he wasn't) made over $700 a day begging and lying. He was in a wheelchair (but not crippled at all) because he didn't want to stand up all day. Every day he threw away anywhere form 5-8 dollars in pennies. Threw them away in the parking lot where his $50,000 SUV awaited his return. Now he's in jail where he belongs. I hope he runs into a real Vietnam Vet who is a real mind case during his sojourn  Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write. |
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His Poet Senior Member
since 2001-12-18
Posts 750 |
Interloper, I know that all Vietnam Vets aren't mind cases. I have three cousins, one a Green Beret, who came home in pretty good shape. I don't think any man can go to war and not come home scarred. My pity is for those who haven't gotten the help they need for mental rehab. Some good public service announcements might help. I probably donate money to six different veteran charities just due to the thankfulness I feel that someone was willing to fight for my freedom. Cheryl |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
This poem could start a whole discussion but as to our poem, I felt it well done, depicting the truth of how some are treated in society today, the reality of how it was for them there, and why some ended up the way they have, but there is no excuse to me of how they are treated, none. Good write. The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives. |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (tears fall down my cheeks) Oh Cheryl, this is sooooooo heartbreaking, I too know deep down everyone who goes to war has these scars in their hearts, even if their health is perfect and they haven't been wounded! (sad sigh) It saddens me so much to see so many lives affected by war, sweet friend, I just wish we could all harmonize to one another and not have to have our children of the future have to see all of this in the future as we try to think what we should say to help them. (kiss on cheek) God Bless You, sweet friend, this is so very sad but well-written, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Cheryl, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton |
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Silver Streak Member Elite
since 2002-01-02
Posts 3625FL, USA |
I'm sad. So very Sad, that so many people are scarred. I'm sad about war, greed, and fear. I see no winners, here. Only Love can help us learn the lessons of Christ. My thoughts are cast in the following words: Young man, said the small bent over lady, I'm almost blind and can not read your sign But here's a dollar to meet your need. No matter why you ask for some money I'll gladly give to you my meager wealth For God helped me so I'll also help you To do whatever God tells you to do. God bless you, young man. ((Cheryl)) -newell Sharing God's Love through perfectlovepoetry.com |
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Silver Streak Member Elite
since 2002-01-02
Posts 3625FL, USA |
As an afterthought, Cheryl, may I say a few more words. I believe that God always looks at giving differently than we tend to do. When people give to be seen, they have their reward. And it doesn't really matter what the purpose is. It is just a game. Like it says in NIV Matthew 6:1: "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. The reward from giving to help someone in need with out being seen still goes first to the giver, not to the receiver. And if someone receives from greed, the giver is still rewarded. But the receiver will always be indebted, awaiting inevitable consequences for greed. He or she may appear to be getting rich or gaining, but appearances are always deceiving. I believe that justice is always served in one way or another. We may just not understand how. Many a life has been wrecked by habits of greed. I believe that there is always a reckoning down the road. Of course, man will try to punish fellow man for breaking a law intended to protect the innocent. And this is proper. But God's Law will always reward and punish with true justice. And Love does change the lives of men who are envious, greedy and cause fear. Just a few thoughts. ((Cheryl)) -newell Sharing God's Love through perfectlovepoetry.com Copyright: 2002 Newell Elsworth Usher [This message has been edited by Silver Streak (03-13-2002 04:56 PM).] |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
This is an excellent poem. Many people are scarred by war, not just VietNam. The tales I've read of those who came home from WWI are heartbreaking, their health ruined by chemical warfare, and little or no help when they came home. War is hell. The aftermath is pretty bad too for some. It's one of our worst inventions. Nan |
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GenXer Senior Member
since 2001-12-15
Posts 583USA |
Cheryl - I know I read this before, but I don't mind saying again what a good and poignant poem this is. I agree with you, we definitely owe a debt of gratitude to all the soldiers who fight for this country. It is good to see you here again. Dave |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Yes unfortunately some veterans are casualties of war but thank God that many are alive and doing well...James |
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His Poet Senior Member
since 2001-12-18
Posts 750 |
Thank you all for your interest and excellent comments. So much could be said but this is just one point of view. Newell, I understand where you're coming from on the giving part. Some of the most benevolent people I know are the most secret of givers. Also, praise God from those who came home and are able to function normally. My dad was WWII vet and I had to relive many of his battles, as I grew up. It impacted my life to see what war can do to a man. Cheryl |
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