He was just out of high school.
Very athletic.
Played all the sports; Got good reports;
It's so pathetic!
Still loved his first girlfriend;
They just got married.
She was his girl; She was his world.
Her pictures, he carried.
He was forced into duty;
Those army orders.
Vietnam going strong, it wouldn't be long;
He would soon leave our borders.
Yes, forced into combat;
The Ninth Division.
Just like us all; His number was called;
Not our decision.
We went out on a mission;
The "Rainy" season.
The Mekong in flood; Bogged down in mud;
No rhyme or reason.
That's when it happened;
That foul situation.
Trucks, being loaded; A mortar exploded;
He would need amputation.
Epilogue:
The surgery's long over;
Both legs were severed.
He is my friend; Now 'til the end;
Now and forever!
A real "Horror" story;
A sad situation.
We talk for a while; He still wears a smile;
He's my inspiration!"
So, now in conclusion
to this sorrow-filled letter;
The years rolled along; His marriage stayed strong;
"Life couldn't be better!"
*dedicated to: "Donny" (Vietnam 1967)
Author notes
*pic. courtesy of Photobucket.com
This is a dedication to 'Donny', a fellow soldier who fought with me in Vietnam and lost both his legs!
Donny and I remain friends and talk on the phone on a regular basis.
I visited him on a few occasions even though he lives in another part of the country.
His marriage remains a "happy one" and he recently told me his new Titanium prosthetic legs make him over an inch taller than his old ones!
He really is my inspiration!
In a list
A contest entry
- OPTIONS, PROMPTS AND TITLES by my1lovewearsdiapers.
600 points, ended March 4, 2008, 23 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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This hits me very strong
I was VERY lucky -- in a secure area on the coast -- engineering supply and maintenance company for electrical generators.
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A great tribute to your friend. A sad story many have to indure. I was lucky, just holes.
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Excellent
Oh my goodness.
What a wonderfully penned tribute to your friend.
I hope you had and have the chance to show this to him.
He would truly appreciate it.
Congratulations on your most deserved Honourable Mention trophy.
VERY well deserved.
Well done.
Keep up with the great work.
Keep on penning.
Thank you so very much for sharing your wonderful talents with us.
*S* Cynthia
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I enjoyed reading this, though it is sad and my heart aches for the soldier I did enjoy reading this, I like the flow and how you honored a soldier. Thanks for the entry ~T~
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wonderful
what a great ribute to your friend donny great writing talent
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This was excellent. I really liked it. Excellently done. Thank you so much for entering the contest. Good luck. Keep on writing. God Bless!
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Inspiration from someone who is truely is inspiring. This is amazing and a connection to the heart. Thank you for sharing
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This so touched my heart!!! What a sad but wonderful story!! When my daughter was born, she had one leg that was and still is deformed and the doctor just wanted to amputate instead of giving her a chance. Her father would not allow such a drastic measure and today she uses both her legs to get around...She will undergo surgeries to correct her leg but there is always a chance for removal....Thank you for penning such a positive piece about amputation!! Life can indeed still be wonderful!!!
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AHhh Glad it worked out for him some woman just up and leave or men too. their crippled spouses. So wrong. Great write very well written and heartfelt. He must be a great friend
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another sad piece, It is wonderful that his wife stayed with him through it all, that is love, true love indeed. It breaks my heart to see such horrable things come out of the aftermath of war,
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OVERWHELMING POEM ,TOO SAD,SO YOUNG THEY COME HOME JUST IN THE FLESH EMPTY INSIDE,THINKING THEY PAID THIS PRICE FOR JUSTICE, SO NAIVE. AN EYE FOR EYE IS IN GODS HANDS, WAR BRINGS CHAOS AND SO MUCH PAIN. ONLY LOVE CONQUERS ALL HATE CREATES MORE HATE. WHEN WILL WE LEARN.( beautiful tribute to your very brave friend) god bless
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