Doug Yelmen

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Doug Yelmen

U.S. Navy

River Rat

Self-Portrait #2: Welcome Home, by Doug Yelmen

Aluminum Wars

how can i say it to you?
what can i tell you
to make you understand
that i support you,
but not the war that is killing you.

i am still still fighting my war
from 1968.

my war has many chapters

including no home coming,
being called a baby killer,
scars from life in general,
but, mostly the PTSD.
that monster and the thief
has a special place in
my heart.

i also struggled until i got
a masters degree around

my 43rd birthday, so i could

work with you, my brothers-in-arms,
as a social worker counseling
you in the VA, until i could no longer
keep my symptoms down, and i
got an early retirement. Thanks to
some very special people, i don't have
to live on the streets.

so, please forgive me, but now
i must stand-up against this war.
if only to make a stand.

the screams i hear are men
and women after their war
or their rape.

did you know aluminum doesn't work

to stop the screams?

 

 

© 10/29/2004 Doug Yelmen

 

Doug's Web Site Doug's PTSD Page

 

Doug is also the curator of this site: http://www.vietvet.org/artsofwar/arts.htm
which is called "The Arts of War & Peace Gallery." It is part of the

"Vietnam Veterans Home Page."

 

More Poetry

 

War Sucks

wake up

 

 

 

 

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