Immoral War

Blinded and limbless, I represent
the hundreds of thousands young men sent
to fight in another country’s war
on rough terrain never seen before.

Our country called and we asked not why
nor for whom we were going forth to die.
Death would be relief to the awful pain
of reliving the battles in mind again.

They all looked alike and we couldn’t know
just who was our ally and who the foe,
until we stepped on the hidden mine
or tripped on the detonating line.

The “Hueys” that came for the dead or dying
were shot down sometimes as they started flying.
Rescuers as brave, as they took to air,
as the weary soldiers they left out there. 

You'll find us today in a VA hall
or dressed in a camouflage coverall, 
living in cities that turn us away
as useless potheads, despised today.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Haight Avatar
March 15, 2019 at 11:11 AM
Joyce, your poem brings to life so well the immorality of war and our question, why? Congratulations on your win! Hugs, Sandra
Toney Avatar
March 13, 2019 at 3:32 PM
Joyce, this is a poignant, thought-provoking poem. The title says it all. Congratulations on your win on Mile 23 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon Contest! Only 4 contests to go before the final! ~Mark
Gauthier Avatar
March 13, 2019 at 1:10 PM
Wow a poignant tribute, Joyce. Congrats on your well deserved win.
Deschler Avatar
April 18, 2014 at 7:33 PM
When we have to fight for peace, no one wins. War does not solve problems without making more of them...Your feelings were expressed so passionately in this poem. A great write, Joyce. Congratulations on your win!...Thank you very much for the kind congrats. :)
A. Sharma Avatar
April 17, 2014 at 2:08 AM
Wars can't ever be moral ,,, nice theme n great poem ! Congrats on fine win !
Guzzi Avatar
April 16, 2014 at 7:10 PM
After every war we have the same thing, men & women destroyed by war and yet still alive & still they enlist. [thanks for highlighting this important topic!] Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
Mehta Avatar
April 16, 2014 at 9:43 AM
Happy to see you on the winner's list. Congrats, joyce
Callus Avatar
April 16, 2014 at 9:31 AM
Congrats on fine placing Joyce; a poem that makes one aware of the effects and scars of war. // paul
A   Avatar
April 16, 2014 at 2:13 AM
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING MY CONTEST JOYCE.... CONGRATULATIONS... LINDA ------------------- --------------- --------------- (((This is a copy paste note to every poet, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE A REPLY ON THIS COMMENT. I'm not being rude, 95% of the time, I never come back to read the reply you left on my comment. If for some reason, you want to give thanks. Let's do it the old fashion way. Drop by and read one of my poems, or send the thanks through soup mail, or just enjoy my visit. As I would yours. I don't enjoy comments on comment's. It takes away from every poet, One day Poetry Soup Will See it.... Have yourself a lovely day.)))
Fraser Avatar
April 24, 2011 at 5:27 AM
Many congratulations Joyce on your win in Miranda's fine contest, Happy Easter....:)
Freeman Avatar
April 22, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Great to see you in the winner's circle Joyce. Congratulations on your worthy poem's success. Agape, Moses
Mehta Avatar
April 22, 2011 at 4:56 AM
Congratulations on the HM win in the contest, Joyce
Haick Avatar
April 21, 2011 at 3:51 PM
Congratulations on your deserving win in the Contest, Joyce. Sending you joyful Easter Greetings! Love, Annalise
Brown Avatar
April 21, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Congratulations on your win in the contest Joyce. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
April 21, 2011 at 8:22 AM
Congrats Joyce on your HM in Miranda's contest with this illustrious account of the Vietnam War my friend.. enjoy this honor with luv and wishing u a blessed and very Happy Easter celebration...
Dietrich Avatar
April 18, 2011 at 4:08 AM
Joyce, your poem makes me feel very humbled for always whining about my own physical woes when there are these truly selfless men who laid down everything for us and many of whom still live even on our streets homeless with so much suffering. this surely deserves a win!
Devonshire Avatar
April 14, 2011 at 4:11 PM
Joyce, this poem packs quite a punch. My cousin was drafted. A sweetheart when he left the states, but he came back filled with hate. Many of the Vietnam Vets never recovered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Did you ever read "Johnny Get His Gun" by Dalton Trumbo. It is written in the first person of a vet who has lost his arms, legs, eyes, ears and mouth. I feel so sad about the way the Vietnam vets were treated. Surely this will be a winner! It goes to my faves. Love, carolyn
Foulk Avatar
April 14, 2011 at 11:43 AM
a warm and tender, yet sad piece you penned here. thank you for your very kind comment on Made in Heaven.
Mehta Avatar
April 13, 2011 at 1:20 PM
Very thought provoking write on the vietnam war with a different perspective, Joyce
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