Michael Ainsley Poet Free verse

The Good Old Bad Days Returned

Ithaca New York 1969                                                                                                                   And all the leaves in all the trees along the gorge that led to Cornell had turned to gold                Home from Viet Nam in 68 and my life was an oxymoron                                                              One day I cared about everything and the next day my head and heart were empty                   And who ever loved me then was as much a victim of the war as I was                                      A cruel wind was blowing and when I spoke out against the war                                                        People who had never been there and some that had exploded with anger                                                      They didn't like the thought that I was useing the freedom of speech I fought for                                         And I had a hard time being hit with garbage as the beat went on into madness                                   Everyone was talking but no one was listening                                                                              Children are not for burning Father Daniel Berrigan said as the carpet bombing continued              The ends do not justify the means                                                                                                    All those years ago and we charge into one war after another learning nothing as we go except that20%of today's casualty list  is the result of suicide. And what amazes me is that America seems to be OK with that. The ends do not justify the means and who will be the hero who cries enough.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Sue-Ellen Newman August 3, 2013 at 12:49 AM My friend I just reviewed PD poem and left a comment on the horrors you faced, and the venom and disrespect, Vietnam vets received, then I read this poem, yes the governments of the world, war mongers, destroyer of lives, what for oil, money greed and control, better not get on my high horse here, blessings be upon you always, sueellen Michael Ainsley August 6, 2013 at 8:44 PM THANKS SUE-ELLEN

Eileen Manassian July 30, 2013 at 9:37 PM Oh....the worst thing is when people spew out their feelings without having lived through the nightmare that war is... :( Sorry for your pain of being misunderstood...I've lived through war here in Lebanon....It's horrible. Though I've never been a soldier, I can imagine that the nightmares that one goes through are enough to make anyone want to take his life....I feel with you. We never learn.....God bless.....This is a VERY powerful write! Michael Ainsley August 1, 2013 at 8:06 AM thank you Eileen. My thoughts are with you ,may you always be safe.