War is an endeavor
Not the overblown exagerated kind of war
The one where you pretend to fight
and run around in "MOPP 4"(1)
And imagine that you are being attacked
That is the kind when you are in no real danger.
That is practice
an "excersise"(2)
The kind of war I am talking about
Is when you are putting on your DCU's (3) for the first time
And walking out the the aircraft
Hoping that you are going to make it back alive.
Flying over the ocean in the clodest plane ever built
27 hours without sleep
And landing ready to go the next morning.
The kind of war that I mean
Is showing up in the desert
and not being issued a weapon.
Inprocessing into a new base
And going to work on 2 hours of sleep.
It is brushing the sand out of your hair
Wiping the sweat off of your face
Just to return to the same grueling, tedious task.
It is the 120 degree weather in the shade
And losing more water then it is physically possible to consume.
It is 16 hour days on a good day.
War isn't what we fantasized the it would be in our childhood
When we played those games.
It isn't heroic
And It is not as fun as I remembered it being.
War is hell
It is the feeling of being isolated from the world
and looked down upon by the people you are defending.
missing your family more then words can express
Watching the sun rise and fall, all in a duty day (3)
24 days on end.
It is sacrificing all the free time you once had
To give it to someone else
In hopes when the time comes you will be appreciated.
and if not, so be it.
it is knowing you are doing the right thing.
But most importantly, it is pride.
Pride in yourself, your country and your uniform.
Author notes
1: Mopp 4: highest Mission oriented protective posture. At this point you are wearing a chemical protective suit, rubber overboots, rubber gloves and cotton glove liners, and gasmask and hood.
2: Excersise: this is the bane of my existance. it is where you play war and hope that you never have to practice it for real.
3: DCU: desert camoflage uniform. This is the Tan camo uniform.
4: duty day: this is from the time that you show up to work to the time you leave.
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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Nice!!!
i love it ;D
I think its one of the only poems if found on here about war
It is extreamly powerfull and thoughtfull, and i can realy emagine what you are writing! its been penned amazingly, well done you!!!
i particularly lovve the secound to last stanza. i think it is the best in the poem!!! but the rest are still amazing!!!
well done!!
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As a Vietnam vet, I applaud your poetic synergy of war.
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wow, this poem is impressive and powerful. I love that you add notes to explain the technical words in the poem for those of us who really have no clue. It's emotional, it's feminine yet, truthful and absolutely wonderful. I'm keeping an eye on your work. You are a intriguing woman. and as always
thank you for serving our country and doing it for the RIGHT reasons.
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An excellent write. A true picture of the real war, the way it is. Never fun and never easy. Just thanks to you and all who endure it for the sacrifice.
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