VIET NAM VET
Another unreasonable cyclic season,
Autumn of your war.
So senselessly eventuated,
As it simply generated before.
The Pentagon, hell bent upon a pawn
Orchestrated the band.
Fascination was kindled.
"Oh youth! Come defend our land."
Your country got an answer:
Your seal of adolescent zeal.
You went into a fantasy world
Immeasurably too real.
Visions of duty, honor and country,
You probably had more.
Duty to your God,
Emulating loved ones who went before.
Basic training, finally obtaining
A killing skill for war.
'T was a war where sister and brother
Commingled in gore.
Both obedient and expedient,
You and Gold Braided Plumage.
Bravely you heard and endured
Those loud bursts of boomage.
Remembrance of temperance
Made anile that chaperon of bile.
Up one mile and all the while
Over cadaver's fallen pile.
You had to forget explosions
Erosion on tentative nerve.
Remember that obsession
With retrogression,
Then on to serve?
You may wonder today
Why you felt that way and with remorse.
Don't feel that way and doubly pay,
You already ran that course.
So hard to tether fears
And weather tears, others to inspire.
Over there kneeling scared,
Soul so bared, after a cease-fire.
Buddies bloody-gut afterimage,
Following that nightmare-scrimmage.
There along side, sharing a ride,
Body bags! Just a blurry image
But of course! Re-occurrences,
Assurances and field evaluation.
Mixed emotion, separation,
An Apathetic nation.
Now you fight for rights. you earned
And they got before.
You got a hint in newsprint:
YOURS WASN'T A WORTHY WAR
Now my friend,
Your buddies are wondering how you'll behave.
They're counting on you, lying in their grave.
Share their family's trepidation
Over GI discrimination.
Close ranks!
DON'T SHOOT BLANKS.
Resolve a new affirmation.
Ballot for the guy or gal
Who, for Vets has an inclination.
If some guy asks you why,
Ask him: Where's The Administration?
SHOW HIM CEMETERY ROW
AND
SKID ROW TO HELP HIS IMAGINATION
Thank you! God bless you,
Your buddies and your families too,
For such a choice gift as you.