Linda Kulp Trout

Thursday, December 17, 2009

POETRY FRIDAY

Last week, my students wrote poems and made holiday cards for our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was proud of the gratitude and support my students showed toward the soldiers. The activity brought back memories of Vietnam and how our soldiers were treated so poorly.

I was in the military during the Vietnam War. I was never sent to combat, but I had several friends who were. This is a poem I'm working on in rememberance of a friend who was drafted and sent to Vietnam.

What He Lost

Celebrated
and congratulated,
hometown hero
of our high school
football team—

My best friend,
barely eighteen
was drafted
to the big league--
Vietnam.

He didn’t want to go,
but his country needed him,
always a team player—
he did what he had to do.

Two years later
he came home
harassed,
an outcast
disdained by the town
that once loved him.

No thanks
No welcome home
No ticker tape parade
All he had left were
scars so deep
no one could see—
permanent reminders
of what he lost
in Vietnam.

Wishing all of us peace on earth.

Happy Holidays!

Linda



4 comments:

  1. Linda,

    That's a touching poem. One of my good friends from high school was killed in Vietnam. It's so sad that we never learn the lessons of war.

    I hope you have a lovely and relaxing holiday.

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  2. Thank you, Elaine. I wish the same for you.

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  3. What a sad and lovely poem, Linda. I think it's not just what HE lost, but what we all lose when this happens. The sports analogy is powerful in those first several stanzas, too.

    Hoping for a peaceful 2010!

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  4. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
    Thanks for stopping by, Laura. : )

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