* WINNER
* OF THE 2nd CUP CAFE Jan 1998 Poetry Contest
In this poem,
my intention is not to offend Australian or American Vets
but to
make the world aware that you all still exist. My views of how it was may
not be correct but they do come from my heart. Terri A Hateley AKA TeAnne.©
Salute
to Vietnam Vets
Australians,
Americans, All creeds, All colours
Men,
at nineteen, boys with brave hearts
of
a life not yet lived
Side
by side from different shores
blood,
sweat and feelings shared
Came
together to fight for freedom
in
an unforgiving, God forsaken war.
While
at home,
ungrateful
bystanders jeered.
Soldiers
who witnessed,
death,
destruction, defeat
the
suffering of an innocent child,
an
ally or mate
the
defoliation of a field, or jungle,
in
the blink of an eye.
Returning
as men with nightmares for memories
forever
indelible
Older
in mind, ruined in body
scarred
beyond their years with untold horrors
and
Agent
Orange devouring their Daughters and Sons
Still
the innocent suffer.
Men
who died, remembered only as a number
or
by family.
Not
by you, not by me
To
give to these men, the time has come,
the
love and respect they earned
as
due compensation.
Not
in parades nor celebration
but
from your hearts and actions
They
could be your sons,
fathers,
husbands or lover
for
them, the sentence is not over
HUG
-A- VET
and
your unawareness, a retraction.
TeAnne © Jan 6.1998
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