Spit

I went to war in Vietnam which wasn't my idea
the army never asked for my advice
I slogged on through the jungles there and watched some soldiers die
out country where the farmers grow their rice

The months went by like in a horrid dream of blood and death
and nothing I could say made any change
one mission here. one mission there just made no sense to me
but there was no way it would rearrange

We came to do our duty and to save South Vietnam
from communist incursions from the north
The tunnel rats went into where no one should ever go
And daily, squads were sweeping back and forth

The enemy was everywhere so telling friend from foe
was just about the hardest thing to do
then just about the time you may have thought you had it pegged
some little "friend" would make a fool of you

I finally got home last month, free from an ugly war
but landing at the airport gave me pause
a woman with a little kid called me a nasty name
and spit at me without a hint of cause

This war I did not advocate and never wished to go
I never had a choice in going there
I only wish the people at my home would understand
and put the blame on those who sent us there

I simply cannot understand the hatred aimed at me
for doing what I really thought was right
it seems that people aught to see the reasons why we go
and know that it's our duty makes us fight
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Suzadail Jr. Avatar
July 27, 2011 at 7:03 PM
Congrats Andrew on this all too true too often poem being featured. My brother is a disabled vet from Nam. My youngest bother and I have 56 years between us and my second brother had 10 years, all Navy. (My disabled brother was a corpsman. The fingers were pointed at the innocent while Washington a$$holes and the corporations got rich. Vince
Gooch Avatar
July 26, 2011 at 8:38 PM
Hi Andrew....Man Oh Man....What a price is paid for freedom... Most will never see it....."By the grace of god"... But how horrible and unjust to know that when their should be a royal welcome home it was a slam in the gut..... Thanks for telling the honest shame of it all and the suffering that the idiot hecklers never will endure and the morons who sent you over to participate in the glory..... Semper Fi James
Poetrysoup Avatar
July 29, 2011 at 1:07 AM
indeed
Brown Avatar
July 25, 2011 at 1:36 PM
Congratulations on your poetry being featured this week Andrew. Love, Carol
A  Avatar
December 31, 2010 at 6:04 PM
Andrew, congrats on your featured poem of the week. Hope you are enjoying the new year. May you be blessed with a wonderful & joyful New Year! Take care*Luv~SKAT
Adeite Avatar
December 28, 2010 at 6:20 AM
Congrats on having your poem being featured on the Poetry Soup home page this week. Please keep your creative caps on, let your poetry pen keep painting your poetry pads with colors of creativity. Thanks for sharing this with us and have a wonderful week ahead. Love always, Adeleke
Peck Avatar
December 28, 2010 at 1:54 AM
Love this really! I felt this completely it hits the soul if you let it. Just deep.............
Brown Avatar
December 27, 2010 at 8:48 AM
Congratulations on your wonderful poetry being featured this week at PoetrySoup Andrew. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
December 12, 2010 at 5:21 PM
Welcome to Poetry Soup.. so enjoyed reading your creative write tonight.. hope your time on Soup will be fun and filled with sharing.. check out the contests too.. good luck with luv..
Palli Avatar
December 12, 2010 at 5:49 AM
can feel that it was so agonizing
Olomi Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 2:22 PM
You highlight the conscience of many choiceless soldiers the way no one had ever done. Thank you, Andrew, you are such a realism poet.
Mehta Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 1:13 PM
I enjoyed the tale you told of the vietnam war, Andrew
Whitlock-Ishway Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 12:24 PM
What a painful truth about the Vietnam War Andrew... You told this story so well. Lay
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