Carolyn Devonshire Poet Rhyme

When Johnny Came Marching Home

I watched as Johnny was handed a uniform
Saw him trained him to kill, in a regiment conform
Marched by his side in Vietnam jungles warm
There was little regard to how war did us harm
 
By parachute dropped to a ghastly death scene
Johnny ached for the life left behind, so serene
His family, fiancé did not know what war means
Especially the haunting of lost children's screams
 
No ticker-tape parades, no welcome for us then
We were scorned as monsters, baby-killing men
Jeers from protestors and an uncaring government
Greeted the lonely Vietnam Veteran
 
No accolades received from a nation displeased
But we had not asked to be sent overseas
The rich sent their sons to universities
For families with wealth dodging the draft was a breeze
 
The "benefits" we found would astound all now
Homeless Vietnam vets still dwell amongst the crowd 
And it leaves one to wonder how our hallowed ground
Could have so many unnamed graves of men once proud
 
I still see vets suffering disgraceful neglect
To say Vietnam wasn’t “war” shows no respect
 


by Carolyn Devonshire
for Miranda Lambert's "World of War: Vietnam" contest

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Debbie Guzzi April 28, 2011 at 5:26 PM Hard subject to revisit you did a great job. Light & Love

James Fraser April 24, 2011 at 5:25 AM Many congratulations Carolyn on your win in Miranda's fine contest, Happy Easter....:)

John Freeman April 22, 2011 at 11:35 AM Great to see you in the winner's circle Carolyn. Congratulations on your worthy poem's success. Agape, Moses

Dr.Ram Mehta April 22, 2011 at 4:57 AM Congratulations on the HM Win in the contest, Carolyn

Audrey Haick April 21, 2011 at 3:53 PM Congratulations on this exceptional write, Carolyn. Well written containing truth, with perfect iamgery and flow. Happy Easter, girl! Love, Annalise

Sidney Beck April 21, 2011 at 1:39 PM a well thought out verse and deserving of far higher placing in this contest Carolyn....most moving part was the lost children's screams....of course there were such children in all wars but in Vietbam we saw them on tv vividly....

Carol Sunshine Brown April 21, 2011 at 12:09 PM Congratulations on your win in the contest Carolyn. Love, Carol

Gwendolen Song April 19, 2011 at 4:22 PM Carolyn, I enjoyed everything about this poem. From the title, especially the stanza about the rich folks evading their responsibilities by dodging the draft. You are certainly on your mark when you sarcastically remind the readers of the "benefits" gained by the unappreciated and often homeless Vets. I try to make every Vet feel appreciated whenever I come into contact with them through my work. Best wishes for this reality-based poem! Gwendolen

Timothy Brumley April 19, 2011 at 7:31 AM A battle lost, and a country hollowed out by the fruits of a lie. Out of sight and out mind were the Viet Nam vets, but the country wore their shame anyway. Good luck in the contest Carolyn.

John Aaron Green April 17, 2011 at 2:00 PM good call, i am with you in that we didnt do enough for our men in uniform..

Nette Onclaud April 17, 2011 at 10:24 AM carols, i hope you're having a great time though i'm missing you already! soup mail..:)

Wilma Neels April 17, 2011 at 10:22 AM Quite a riveting write with so much truth Carolyn I especially love you last two lines.. Will definitely come up with a heart write for you :) love and enjoy the fishing, Happy Easter to you too :) Wilma

Dr Hitendra Mehta April 16, 2011 at 11:23 AM Carolyn, your words bring alive the fallout of war...... winning wishes for the contest. Much thanks for encouraging comments on my work, 'seeing way in others eye' & 'turned down heaven'. Poetry is a creative baby of poet. Tying down in a 'form' is like expecting everyone to produce identical babies. Nothing against contests. Win or no win is not primary aim. Larger aim to enjoy ones creation !!! As an artist I do so more with words...Luv & best wishes always - Hitendra Mehta

Vince Suzadail Jr. April 15, 2011 at 4:32 PM I have a few friends dead and a brother who is having trouble walking (land mine). We were lied to by the government and we were expendable to them. There was a lot more than agent orange used over there and the A$$holes we have in Washington now still lie until the guilty have all had their successful lives. Good luck in the contest. Vince

Joe Maverick April 15, 2011 at 2:59 PM I mean't to say i think this is a sensitive yet questioning write Carolyn, it should do well in the contest!

Joe Maverick April 15, 2011 at 2:53 PM I think this is a sensitive yet questioning write Carolyn, i should it do well in the contest!

Jancarl Campi April 15, 2011 at 1:40 PM THanks for your comment on my poem "ode to my dog" I was just fooling around, but it soumded pretty good. Good luck in the contest and God bless you, Jancarl

Don Johnson April 15, 2011 at 5:22 AM It was the same in Australia we had the demonstrations demanding our boys return. No real recognition for our changed men, returned from the horror they saw.

Doris Culverhouse April 15, 2011 at 4:10 AM Hey Carolyn, such a moving poem. I had a brother in law that served in the military during the vietnam era he did not have to fight in nam but he was mistreated just the same when he came back. It is sad. He had no choice in the matter.

Andrea Dietrich April 14, 2011 at 6:51 PM excellent way to see it. To show how the soldier once again was the one who lost out in all this. I really like your poem for this contest. As for my cinquain you commented on, I wish I were talking of a real person when I wrote that!

Dr.Ram Mehta April 14, 2011 at 4:56 PM As you informed me about your cousin, it made me with feelings to read the truie account of the viet war, Carolyn

Joyce Johnson April 14, 2011 at 4:37 PM I weas so lucky that my son was assigned to certified confidential work and kept in an office and served his time in Germany. My step-son did not do that well. He was ijured but his physical injuries were nothing compared to what happened to his mind. The boy he had been never showed up again. Your poem is wonderfully well done and I can tell it is heart felt. You should be right up there. Love, Joyce.

Cherie Durbin April 14, 2011 at 3:43 PM Good luck in Miranda's contest, Carolyn! I know she'll enjoy this poem.

Jeff Morehead April 14, 2011 at 3:30 PM Powerful write Carolyn... Jeff

Sara Kendrick April 14, 2011 at 2:54 PM Good luck in the contest with this very political work..Sad that our men and now women have to serve in wars..Someday we won't have those wars...Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work..Sara

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