a student's spit

My poem is dedicated to all those soldiers who suffered and/or died for us in the line of duty. Thanks, BR, and all of you, who gave so much.

the soldier

walks across campus

on his uniform

a Purple Heart

and a student's spit

Author's Note

Some have called the incident I describe a myth, but my first husband, an Army captain at the time, lived the experience upon his return from Vietnam, so I call it a fact. The fact that this happened to even just one returning soldier is revolting. The fact that others still abuse soldiers for serving us all is horrendous. Fortunately, things seem to have improved a bit and soldiers are now thanked by many for what they did when they return. I pray that we never have to read another abusive poem of our men in uniform on this site again.

Publication credit: Ribbons: Tanka Society of America Journal Tanka Cafe Section
Feb. 2013

Reviews

[PANTHER811]

Having fought for the students right to spit, I find it gratifying you wrote of it. I am just as easily pleased at the reception Brown University gave to the war veteran and police commissioner Ray Kelly. The faces of these Americans should be posted from sea to shining sea, least we let them go unnoticed and denied their just rewards. God bless the first amendment, it saves me the time of ferreting them out. Tom

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thanks for your strong review and your service, Tom, both in the military and police force. You are one of those to whom we all owe a huge debt of gratitude.

[PANTHER811]

Thank you darlin, but, trust me...I've collected. May not have always gone the way I wanted, but as I write to you I've a smile on my face. Here's hoping you have a great week-end and this week's work place will be better than last. As for test results, if they were anyrthing but good you would have heard already. Relax, enjoy, think good thoughts.

[Eddie Phillips]

I have not been able to get online for a few while because of duty requirements. I read this and it made me think about a incident in Denver a few years ago. A Airmen was walking through downtown Denver in his uniform and a older lady came up and spit in his face. He didn't lose his composure but it was totally disrespectful. I remember that as we were talking about it none of us could believe it was done INCONUS. We fight for the rights of the people in this country and we take no shame in that. Sometimes those we fight for hate us but to serve is without thinking of self.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

A piece to stand behind... no matter your stance on the reason why they fight, you can not deny their selflessness.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, PH, for your supportive review. Anyone who risks his life for his country is a true hero in my books!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Well said.

[Madison O'Dwyer]

I love not only your political accuracy behind this poem, but the few words you used to make such an impact. I whole heartedly agree with you about the treatment of those men.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, Madison, for your supportive review. You were not even a gleam in your father's eyes during the Vietnam War, but I remember the treatment those returning soldiers received and it was tragic. May that never again happen in this country.

[Lyn Anderson]

I love this. As I have posted before, my favourite saying about soldiers that comes to mind is "if you don't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them" One question, however, did you mean to say ON or IN his uniform?

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, KL. Yes, I really meant "on." The pin is pinned on his uniform and the spit is, unfortunately, right there beside the medal "on" the uniform. I appreciate your review very much.

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, I wondered that. Either would work. It is a great piece.

[Scott Metro]

Yes..it is the truth !!!
I pray someday..a uniform will be a relic...



Scott

[Joyce S. Greene]

That would truly be wonderful, Scott, but, human nature being what it is, rather improbable. I appreciate your reading and reviewing my poetry. It means a lot to me.

[Scott Metro]

It is my pleasure.... :)
Scott

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

I pray that the soldiers will get the respect they deserve. Thanks for this enlightening poem, Joyce.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, Blue. This is a poem about the reception received by the soldiers returning to the US after Vietnam. They were not greeted with parades and confetti, that's for sure. I appreciate your very kind review.

[rutherford]

Simple, to the point--blunt. Reflects the affront.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Guess I must have missed your review, rutherford, and I am very sorry about that. I really appreciate your thoughts and just wish I weren't always so busy. I'm on vacation this week and am trying to catch up. Kind of a losing battle.

[Coyote Poetry]

A sad vision create by the poem. The Vietnam war left the poor Soldiers with hard decisions. Served and disliked. Thank you for writing the excellent and true poem.
Coyote

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, Coyote, for leaving such a thoughtful review for me.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome.

[Frieda P]

"I pray that we never have to read another abusive poem of our men in uniform on this site again" I'm with you on that one Joyce, it's fine to hate war itself, who doesn't, but don't project those feelings onto the very men and women that protect our every freedom......well said my friend!

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you very your very wise thoughts, Frieda. How sad that people always seem to take their own frustrations out on other people. Isn't that a big part of what both war and hate are all about? If everyone would just work on their own problems and not blame others for them, then the world would be a better place.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you for this Joyce. My generation got the respect when we came home but the nam vets got spit on bad.
This nation owes them an apology. At least we have the wall. The most emotionally charged memorial in DC.

[Joyce S. Greene]

I have visited the wall, BR, and it is an impressive monument built to thank those who served in that terrible, misguided war. Thanks for reading my poem and leaving your thoughts behind.