Death Was An Awakening

Yes death was an awakening 
We did not realize we carried it with us
Until our smiles were wiped clean
And the laughter had stopped

It did not take long.
Vietnam was life game changer
We had been thrust into jungles
As GI Joe’s, ready to kick some butt

Instead, we were the ones being kicked.
As trigger explosions were going off and our friends were dying
We realized that death was waking us up
Begging for our full attention which we gave

For there is nothing like the horrors of war
To shake an eighteen-year-old out of his cocoon of innocence
To take his invincible attitude and twist it behind his back.
War is hell and death is the rude awakener
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Theraven Avatar
May 27, 2020 at 9:46 AM
Caren, This is a sad testament to an innocence lost. Proof that modern conventional warfare is anything but. Well written for all ages. -Richard
Krutsinger Avatar
May 27, 2020 at 10:17 PM
Thank you Richard; I know that the youngest, brightest and poorest are often used as fodder so that some in power can gain oil and other natural resources, and it makes me ever so sad.
Michael Avatar
May 26, 2020 at 8:35 AM
Another serious one Caren...I like the idea you have...Death the Awakener
Krutsinger Avatar
May 26, 2020 at 1:14 PM
It truly is!
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