Sent To War
A boy, barely eighteen, was
sent to the Vietnam War.
And as a lamb among wolves,
he didn't know what lay in store.
When it came to kill or die,
he showed himself to be brave.
But part of him died inside,
buried in a shell-shocked grave.
Forced to take a human life,
he numbed his hurt with cocaine.
And plugged his ears to the screams
to keep from going insane.
Having survived his nightmare,
he was sent home with his pain.
And the reception he got;
hurt him all over again.
Angry people spat on him,
there was no hero's parade.
And shamed by his countrymen,
he felt betrayed and afraid.
It's been over fifty years,
yet no one has thanked him still.
And he's accepted in his
heart that no one ever will.
Copyright © Emile Pinet | Year Posted 2015
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