When Vietnam veterans returned from their tour of duty, the general feeling was one of isolation, disappointment and even anger. In their minds they were pariahs. It seemed no one wanted to discuss the War, and the veteran took it personally, whether intended or not. Their feelings kept inside, for many years they just could not seem to “get it off their chests.” Now many have, but many others haven’t. This is for all of them.
The Seasons of Our Lives
In the springtime of our lives the War was simply news,
And we were keeping busy with the things we chose to do.
Then the years slipped quietly by and changes were upon us,
It was time to do our duty and go fulfill our promise.
In the summer of our lives we pledged to serve with honor,
We traveled around the world to a land so full of horror.
The year went slowly by, and we were free to come back home,
But in the summer of our lives we felt very much alone.
Now in the autumn of our lives we remember very well
The things we kept inside us, the things we didn’t tell.
But as the years go quickly by the silence has been broken,
And we’ll tell what War is like, in words so long not spoken.
When winter’s in our lives we’ll finish with our story,
How we’re proud of what we did, although without the glory.
What it’s like to see realities that only we can know,
And our hope that no more soldiers will ever have to go.
Copyright © 2011 by David B. Simmons