Things That I'Ve Seen - Warning - About War and Combat

Traveling life's murky waters, Were these brave men. My friends in dark jungles. Dying for many who did not care. Malaria and typhoid our worst enemies; Still then, that occasional sniper bullet, Snuffing out a life in an instant. Fighting for our country yet hated by some. Freedom was all we tried to preserve, While every night evil pounded our helmets. Unrelenting hatred killing us one at a time; Sometimes a dozen in one blizzard of shells. Living in a hell on earth to protect liberty. Seeing dead eyes of buddies seconds ago alive. Oh to understand what terror really is; Surrealistic death in drowning bloody color. Friends found de-bowled and castrated by enemy, Hanging from beautiful rain forest trees. Life bodily fluids dripping to feed their roots, That horror which still lives in my mind. Flag red stripes brightened with bloodied courage; I ask how many Americans truly realize this? Flying old glory only when under personal siege, Oh that mental pain it has caused so many soldiers. Coming home to icy cold stares, Murderers seen in the eyes of some Americans. Heroes welcome buried in front pages of wrongful war; Medals tarnished before seeing light of another day. Note: This piece is dedicated to all American and Ally soldiers who have ever been in combat! GOD Bless America and our Allies! Copyright © 2014 Robert William Gruhn - All Rights Reserved "A poem to me is the essence of any thought, Being built from its foundation into tower scraping sky. It can fly like no other bird to places never seen, Even spaceships can only dream of taking its place." © 2014 Robert William Gruhn