The Viet Nam Veteran

The Viet Nam Veteran

I watched him limp as he walked my way.

There was sadness in his eyes.

His clothes were ragged and wrinkled.

And time seemed to have passed him by.

He seemed like he didn’t belong here.

And yet he had been a part

Of a time when the turmoil around us

Tugged violently at all our hearts.

I tried to offer some comfort.

But he gave me a half-hearted grin.

He said, “No matter how hard I try,

I just can’t seem to fit in.”

He looked much older than his 50 years.

I thought back to a time long ago.

When he was a handsome young soldier.

Oh God! Why didn’t we know?

If we had known of the outcome

Would things be different today?

Would we have turned our backs on the world

Or still sent our young men away?

The mental scars were more painful

When the soldiers came home from war.

Our country considered them outcasts.

And cast them aside all the more.

The man said I shouldn’t be worried.

And hoped he wouldn’t offend.

But if he had it to do all over,

He’d do it all over again.

He’d be willing, again, to shoulder a gun.

And put his fears and his hurt aside.

After all, he was defending his country.

His eyes glowed with a young soldier’s pride.

It seems like it was just yesterday.

When I spoke with this man so brave.

Now with tears mixed with pride and yet sadness,

I kneel praying at my brother’s grave.