Terry D. Sutherland

MORNING

In the early morning hours
In the Highlands of Vietnam
Even the jungle flowers
Cower on the battle torn land

As the sun rises with you
It’s cool, you can see your breath
You think of all you’ve been through
You can’t mistake the smell of death

You have been in country so long
You are at the point in your tour
You can’t see anything wrong
With the horror you have endured

You know in the back of your mind
There is something wrong with your life
You hope you’ll go home and find
Some comfort and a little less strife

Right now you don’t care
If you live or die
Each day is one you share
Under a muggy Vietnam sky