AFTER VIET NAM

about war and loss

AFTER VIET NAM

he came home
and
i could not see
where he had been
but
it LIVED in the strange shadow eyes
of his mask/face...
i could not ask
and
he could not say...
will it always exist
between us...
stark and harsh,
a LIVING wall
of
memories never shared
screaming DEATH...
screaming DEATH...
screaming DEATH...
shredding his SPIRIT
into bloody ribbons
i can’t mend...

"

Reviews

[Perkele.7885]

I know a lot of vets came home from Nam this way! I was not one of them. I was able to channel my pain and anguish into pigeon holes all over my mind and hope that they would never intermingle. So far I have been able to live within these barriers that I fashioned for myself and it has been about 46 years and counting. I just stay away from possible trigger situations.
I appreciate your poem and your effort in writing it!

[Willard Wells]

Nice piece which gives me the feel of your pain as you watched and hoped love was still there in all the turmoil that came from his dark war place. Made me think.

[micky]

Beautiful piece....ive never been through this situation....but i can only imagine the pain
Well done,great flow:)