Veterans’ Lament
I wished to be a soldier
And that I did once upon a time
I came back home
Still caught in war’s rhyme
Nam’s memories intrude
Like a daily interlude
I can smell carbide
And diesel smoke…
Thick enough to choke
There are sounds that abound…
Echoes of an incoming round
Oh, the sights that nightly I
view
We see it still, me and you
Liver is almost gone
And the doc says
Lungs are not so fine
But he never says, you know…
That “AO” word anytime
You know what I say is true…
...You very precious few
You, who are not yet gone,
Lord, shall we die unsung alone
For I fear that Vietnam.
Has followed us home…
©March 26, 2009
Faye Sizemore
