The War In My Mind
The war is over
The war continues in my mind
Seeing in my mind's eye my first kill
"He's mine, I saw him first," I told the other soldiers
The boom of my rifle echoing in my ears
My eyes watching the video in my head
He fell head first, legs kicking in the air
Then stillness
The stench of vomit filling my nostrils
Sick to my stomach
Whom am I to take another's life
Am I a good man or a bad man
A question of many a soldier
Hell became the norm after many more kills
War is hell
The war continues in my mind
If only I...........
Maybe if..........
This poem is dedicated to Vincent Ropollo, a marine who served in Vietnam War. He shared many stories with me of his service there. He inspired me to write a poem trying to express the emotional pain war can inflict on soldiers as well as physical pain and horrendous memories. There are no words to accurately portray what war is like to those who fought and were directly affected by it. My poem is a small attempt to show the long lasting affects of war on the brave soldiers who experienced it. Throughout my life I have heard and read many stories of soldiers from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan. Those that can talk or write about their experiences seem to mention a similar theme of questions which is totally understandable. War not only affects a soldier physically, but sad and graphic memories and questions stay with them. Many soldiers suffer from PTSD and it is no wonder why.
Vincent said in one of his stories, “Seeing guys gladly giving up their lives for the thought of freedom for someone else, someone they don't even know in a foreign country, I only hope I can be that brave when I face death.” Vincent has already been that brave and faced death many times. He came home and spent the rest of his life serving as a fireman. So to Vincent Ropollo and all the many soldiers from all the wars in the past and now, may God bless you, and thank you for your service. Those who have never experienced war can only imagine. You know what it is like.
Support CosmoFunnel.com
You can help support the upkeep of CosmoFunnel.com via PayPal.
Comments
This is the ugly truth. War is hell. Thank you
Thanks for reading and commenting.
My Dear Shirley,
What potent words you have written. I am so moved by their omnipotence. I am so inspired, that I want to write the words from my own heart and soul that pay homage to these great protectors of our country, who return home from war, yet, never can leave the battlefields that they fought on. So, I am going right now to post a poem dedicated to them and you.
Hugs, Peace and Love,
Larry xxx
Great poem Shirley I may also be inspired to write poem about war some day soon you get 10.000 likes and 20.000 stars
Thank you so much. I look forward to reading those poems. I am going to check out your poems. Thanks for stopping by.
WOW!! SHIRLEY!!!!......this is such a powerfully moving piece.....in EVERY way.....the poetry is powerful and thick with the imagery of war.....it's amazing you were able to accomplish so much with so few words!!.....excellent are the bits of dialogue!!.....the succinctness of it making it even more powerful.....and the fact that you wrote this from the man's perspective is even more impressive!!.....this is my favorite Shirley Rebstock poem to date!!.....my father served in three wars.....and I know he'd look at you....not speak.....and then kiss your cheek!!......ALL STARS!! PINNED!!.......brilliant!:.......LOVE and ROCKETS!!.....T ?✳✴☀♥
I am truly honored with your comment Tony. Thank you. The inspiration came from my cousin' s husband's stories. I should ask him to post some of his stories on Cosmofunnel under stories. I would give your Dad a big hug right back. He was definitely a courageous man. He had to be a good man to raise someone who encourages and inspires others with comments and your beautiful poetry. My dad fought in Battle of the Bulge. He never would talk about it. He taught me to shoot a military rifle. He had a bayonet and I asked if he ever used it. He looked away and said, "you do would you have to do." My father in law fought in IWo Jima and did tell me lots of stories. I have cousins and nephews and uncles and brothers who served, too. There are so many stories they and other soldiers could tell us. Thanks for your inspiration and encouragement.