Sent To War
A boy, just turned 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.
Yet, 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.
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