The Vietnam War

by Mary (Houck) Rogers

HE WENT TO A LAND TORN BY WAR
WITH FIELDS OF RICE AND FOX HOLES GALORE
BOMBS EXPLODING ALL AROUND
GUNS FIRING THOUSANDS OF ROUNDS

WALKING THROUGH SWAMPS SOAKING WET
SNAKES CRAWLING AROUND HIS NECK
AMMUNITION DUMPS UP IN FIRE
NOTHING LEFT BUT BLOOD AND MIRE

HE WENT TO HELP A LAND BE FREE
BUT IN HIS MIND HE’LL NEVER BE
DREAMS OF BROKEN BODIES AND STARING EYES
MASS GRAVES WHERE HIS COMRADES LIE

HE NEVER REALLY CAME HOME THAT DAY
HIS MIND WAS LEFT THERE TO STAY
HE LOVED HIS FAMILY AND LIVED FOR THEM
BUT COULD NEVER FORGET WHERE HE HAD BEEN

AT FIFTY YEARS THE ANGELS CAME
THEY TOOK HIS SOUL HOME AGAIN
NOW HE’S FREE…HE REMEMBERS NO MORE
THE HORROR AND HELL OF THE VIETNAM WAR