Summer 69

Before the day turned into night when morning dawn seemed clear and bright. Before, the taste of spent cordite lingered around one more bomb site. We sang of love, no war, but peace why should we fight Vietnamese; it was just but summer’s caprice; for we were watched; secret police. We hate your God! We hate yours, too! I hate you’re green. I hate you’re blue, I said it first. Well, go f**k you! We’ll send a gift, b52! Before we took our hardline stance did we ever give peace a chance?

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Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 3/28/2024 12:15:00 PM

Wow Terry. I remember '69. You've caught it perfectly. Congratulations! :)

Terry Miller
Date: 4/13/2024 9:31:00 AM

Thank you Linda

Charles Messina

Date: 3/27/2024 11:21:00 AM

A great write about a senseless war, Terry. I love, love, love this! Congratulations on your top win in my contests. Great ending too! All the best...Charlie PS: I am so sorry about the passing of your sister...my condolences to you and your family.

Terry Miller
Date: 4/13/2024 9:31:00 AM

It piles up, my mom passed 2 days ago.

Terry Miller
Date: 3/28/2024 3:58:00 AM

Thank you Charles for your kind comments. I really enjoyed this competition, thank you for organizing it.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 3/27/2024 11:02:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. WOW!! What a powerful write/powerful ending. I just read this "Summer 69" write from you. I see your younger sister passed. I am so very sorry. Life can be very hard from time to time... Have a blessed day..........

Terry Miller
Date: 3/28/2024 3:58:00 AM

Thank you Paula, I appreciate it.

Speaks Volumes

Date: 2/9/2024 9:10:00 PM

1.35million deaths in a war that began in 1955 and went for 20years. I wonder how few even remember if anyone gave peace a chance back then :( The slinging match of words that you depict so very well Terry, is a sad, but wouldn't it have been wonderful if it could have ended with words instead of B52's and all the other weaponry involved in killing all those people over 20 years of war. I admire your writing. The subject defies reason but your poem addresses it well . Best wishes Wen.

Terry Miller
Date: 2/26/2024 8:47:00 AM

Thank you Wen, my younger sister passed a few days ago, which is why I have not been writing, commenting or answering on PS. Nice to hear from you though and your always kind and supportive comments

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 2/6/2024 3:32:00 AM

wow Terry this one blew me out of the war zone, thanks for sharing your talent. Good luck in the contest dear poet

Terry Miller
Date: 2/6/2024 7:58:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by and for your far too kind comments

David Kavanagh

Date: 2/5/2024 2:54:00 PM

Excellent poem Terry, A hugely divisive war, both in the US and Vietnam, amazing how they managed to put a man on the moon whilst all this played out, great one for contest, cheers David

Terry Miller
Date: 2/6/2024 7:59:00 AM

Thank you David turbulent times, I joined the military in '69, for a short while.