Robert L. Hinshaw Poet Rhyme

Private Schlink's Musings On the Vietnam War

Gawd!  I awoke this morning wondering what I'm doing in this miserable place!
I thought the oath I took was to defend America's shores, not a foreign race!
The French made a mess and ran, now, America has to straighten things out.
It's a civil war and personally I don't give a damn what the politicians tout!

The president and his minions are making millions off my miserable back,
While I wade through these gawd-forsaken paddies dodging shells and flak!
Maybe I should've gone to Canada but I would have let my father down,
Who fought in another war and returned with honor to his hometown.

Colonels and generals sit on their butts in Saigon adding medals to their collection,
Enjoying air conditioning, steak, ice cream and the finest whiskey selection.
I dine on C-rations, get a shower once a month and a warm beer now and then.
I hear the screams of wounded buddies and weep at the agony of dying men.

I hear back home that peaceniks call us baby killers and spit on returning heroes!
If I ever get back home and that happens to me, I'll punch the SOBs in the nose!
Nams don't appreciate what we're doing and its a shame our people have to die,
While a lot of their young guys avoid the gore of war hoping it'll pass them by.

As I sit here in this filthy foxhole with water up to my knees, I fervently pray,
I can make it through my tour without a scratch and get home to a better day.
Will America ever learn from history and stay out of other people's wars,
And learn from the futility of war while the loss of our blood and treasure soars?

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF
© All Rights Reserved

Honorable Mention in Miranda Lambert's "World of War: Vietnam" Contest
Apr 2011

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Elizabeth Wesley June 22, 2011 at 7:50 PM Like America, Canada shovesit's nose where we have no business being. You stated the facts superbly........Lizzie

James Fraser April 24, 2011 at 5:29 AM Many congratulations Robert on your win in Miranda's fine contest, Happy Easter....:)

John Freeman April 22, 2011 at 11:36 AM Great to see you in the winner's circle Bob. Congratulations on your worthy poem's success. Agape, Moses

Timothy Brumley April 22, 2011 at 5:49 AM Obviously, she never will! One recurring guilt that I encountered while out processing many G.I.s from Nam, was that they couldn't forgive themselves for surviving when all their buddies did not. Noble, but very sad:( Mankind will remain on the road to extinction until he finally removes war from his means of settling differences, which may not happen until its too late. Congrats on your HM in the contest.

Dr.Ram Mehta April 22, 2011 at 4:58 AM Congratulations on the HM win in the contest, Bob

Gwendolen Song April 21, 2011 at 6:07 PM Back to your AGAIN! I just love this poem! I love everything about it! My grandfather served under Gen Patton and spent many nights in a foxhole. It was there he contracted scarlet fever. He said it was scary when the tanks would roll over the fox holes! yikes! You are such an awesome Poet! Thanks for serving our country too! Blessings, Gwendolen and her entire family!

Audrey Haick April 21, 2011 at 3:58 PM Amazing write as always, Bob. Thanks for sharing your experience and feelings as you went through this kind of horror. Congratulations on the HM. I would have loved to see this score higher. Nevertheless, a Winner to me. Sending blessed and joyful Easter Greetings to you and family. Love, Annalise

Carol Sunshine Brown April 21, 2011 at 12:10 PM Congratulations on your win in the contest Bob. Love, Carol

Linda-Marie Sweetheart April 21, 2011 at 8:25 AM Congrats Bob on your HM in Miranda's contest with this illustrious account of the Vietnam War in poetry my friend.. an exceptional story .. touching and moving.. enjoy a special honor all your own.. and ..wishing u and the Mrs. a most blessed and Happy Easter celebration..luv..

Gwendolen Song April 19, 2011 at 4:30 PM Robert. Saaaaaaa-lute! Great write. You took me right to the battlefield which is how I best enjoy a war poem. Super-detailed and contrasts clearly the posch lifestyles of those behind the driver's seat and how miserably driven our soldiers were. Congrats on this poem, once again. Gwendolen

James Foulk April 19, 2011 at 2:54 PM when they said war is hell, they knew what they were talking about, though hell will be much worst. a great read, sad.

Debbie Guzzi April 18, 2011 at 10:43 AM Very balanced write on a very hard topic to balance! But, no Bob it has never been and probably never will be in the monetary interest of Nations to stay out of each others business, war is a vehicle to the redistribution of wealth and the young and the powerless are used as pawns. Light & Love always

Linda-Marie Sweetheart April 14, 2011 at 7:15 PM Bob ..what can I say .. more fabulous words I have not read.. this is so impressive and so 'for real' from soldier's point of view .. amazing rhyme as usual.. good luck in the contest my friend... no one will top this piece for sure..

Dr.Ram Mehta April 14, 2011 at 5:58 PM very realistic picture you hjave drawn of the war of Vietnam, coming from the heart, Bob

Joyce Johnson April 14, 2011 at 4:46 PM Another great poem on the horror of that war. My sons and their friends were of the age to be drafted or to enlist into this useless war. My son was lucky enough to be assigned certified work in an office and spent his tour in Germany. My step-son was in the midst of the fighting and was changed forever. They got such a poor shake when they got home. This should be right up there at the top. Love, Joyce

Carolyn Devonshire April 14, 2011 at 3:55 PM Awesome, Bob! This is EXACTLY the way it was. We had no business in this war and were lured into it by France. The military bigwigs lived luxuriously compared to the men in the foxholes praying they would make it home. Awesome entry for Randa's contest! I knew you would write something great on this theme. Bravo! Love you, Carolyn

Cherie Durbin April 14, 2011 at 12:36 PM Good luck in Miranda's contest, Robert! This reads like a winner to me.

Ralph Taylor April 14, 2011 at 11:33 AM by the way, Great entry. I predict a winner. Good luck. Outstanding write. Ralphie

Ralph Taylor April 14, 2011 at 11:29 AM Awesome, Bob. Very thought provoking. Says a lot. Excellent piece, my friend. You guys have a great weekend. Ralphie

Nette Onclaud April 14, 2011 at 11:19 AM ohh, bob.. so many years of wasted lives and hatred! you wrote a gut-wrenching piece spilling the agony of a war gone nowhere.... riveting! riveting! winning material! :) huggs, nette