Home » Poems » Kathryn Collins » Veterans of Vietnam

Veterans of Vietnam

Veterans of Vietnam 

Do you still carry it with you, 
the rifle of the fight?

Are you absolved in your bravery
even though you did not die?

Do you see worth
for what you risked?

I could not smell your perspiration
as we danced the boogaloo at home.

We were all so young;
all of us;
no chance to think;
each in a different reality.

And there are those who are forever young
prisoners of the mind, of the soul, 
of the earth framed in heartache by loved ones. 

© revised May 26, 2012
Kathryn McL. Collins

warfree verse

♡Like0

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

Keith Bickerstaffe

June 30, 2012 at 9:38 AM

In this era of immediacy, we see the horrors of war almost as they're happening, but cannot really FEEL them. You display the UNreality of it all... the differences between the pain experienced by the soldier, and the pain of those left behind wondering, worlds apart. A poignant and compelling piece. Love, Keith

Black Eyed Susan

June 2, 2012 at 2:15 PM

I like the questioning and I love the line about perspiration dancing the boogaloo, while the soldiers were away fighting - what a big contrast and so very effective! also, a sad last verse - we are all prisoners of war in some way :( good piece.

Elizabeth Wesley

May 30, 2012 at 5:27 PM

I read a book on that war a short time ago and it was so dirty. No one won but so many were killed. I wish we would advance to the point it would not be necessary. Your poem evokes the sadness of it all.