Rebellion and Loyalty

In the restless fifties, teens had to face many realities:
join the draft and go to war or rebel and bear absurdities,
the neutral ones stayed in college and avoided penalties;
oh for God's sake, why should any youngster fight enemies?
Hippies rebelled against the government and shouted obscenities;
they wanted to smoke pot, make love and have lots of babies.
When Motherland calls her soldiers, there are no certainties...
either you fight to survive, or you surely die without strategies.
All mothers cried as they departed to meet their destinies;
did anyone hear them whispering those rules to assure safeties? 
The young soldiers did, not discarding hopes and possibilities.
The Vietnam War was a long one, stretching into the seventies;
many didn't return, some did to enjoy serenities and liberties...
and proud they were to have served well, shunning insecurities.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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Sweetheart Avatar
September 21, 2010 at 9:07 PM
Congrats Andrew on your placement in the contest.. a special piece and wonderful write and win to enjoy my friend..with luv..
Devonshire Avatar
August 7, 2010 at 7:35 AM
Share your sentiments about Vietnam's unwelcomed heroes, Andrew. They deserved respect for their service, but the anti-war sentiments at the time had them arriving home to be greeted with hostility. Very moving poem. Makes me wish we could go back and change this period of history. Love, Carolyn
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