Opus 50

thoughts on Vietnam war

Opus 50

War, War, War!
I've been there
Long dark nights on patrol
Sticky, humid heat ridden jungles
Smelly rice paddies
The terrible scent of death
To make friends just to see
Them get injured or die
The sound of choppers coming in
Bring supplies, ammo, hot chow,
And mail from home
The nights, so many dark nights
Fear of what's just beyond
Your vision
Ambushes,patrols, trails,
Walking point searching for
the enemy and the nasty things
He leaves behind
Mines, booby traps, bamboo stakes.
Death at every turn
Buddies that were there just
Moments before, gone, dead.
Or sometimes worse in pieces
And screaming in pain
So many friends
So much pain
Could it have been stopped
Could it have been changed?
So many lives affected
Families, sweethearts, wives and children
Mothers, fathers, grandparents.
None of them will ever be the same
Death in war touches everyone
Changes everyone
God how I hate what war has done
You learn to hate in war, so sad