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Poetry Information |
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Rhymes of an Ordnance Man [Vietnam War: 1971]
Rhymes of an Ordnance Man An eleven part poem I had went to Vietnam at the age of 23 [1971], and it was most interesting, there were 205,000 troops there when I arrived. I was asked recently at a lecture [question and answer] at a University in Peru, Huancayo, at the Los Andes, Language Center, how I liked it. Most of the students expected me to be down right rigid with my remarks, I think. But the first thing that came to mind was, '...war is a high," and so I expressed that to the students, they were a ting surprised. And so in this poem I try to outline a few of the more normal occurrences, and include the highs one may find in everyday soldiering in a war area: Part One Vietnam: Guard Duty at Dusk ? I paced along the wired fence Just timid darkness for my light? I glanced from tree to tree That never said a word: "Halt, who goes there?" I cried. But he Oh, I called him several times, Never saw the foliage move. I ordered him against the fence And cried like a morbid child. O, I had no time to tarry-. Or they'll find you dead tomorrow!" I dreamed about that evil night -he never clasped his hands! #645 5/2005 Part Two Vietnam: The Frightful Fool "This is not a game," I said D'ye think he'd listen? Na, And so the fearful fool awoke, Part Three Vietnam: Red Silence I cannot silence, though I try The odyssey, of staying alive. Yet, life is still a joy-and all is well? Lo! In fact, I didn't mind the horrors of war Part Four Vietnam: Heroin-day And I found in the open jungle Golden light and golden peace Dwelling! I forgot, I was here to fight To fight like a devil if need be. Glare and the grime, and trees. I lay my rifle down to bit To join the other dreamers yet As if we were all crazy or nuts. Fighting: was a far, far cry. I never knew if the enemy was Nearby!... Note: #646 5/11/2005 Part Five Vietnam: Going Home I'm goin' home in the Mawin' - I'm done with fightin', 'ad had my fill of ?nam! I'm goin', home in the Mawin' - I'm glad to have the chance-! I've had my 'eap of fun And I wouldn't trade it Note: #647 Part Six Vietnam: Morning Rockets All morning long, rockets shot by At night, at night-the same Little I thought, I'd die that morning, For out of the mysterious, Vietnam, Rockets whistled in the bloody sky, But the worst of all #648 [5/12/2005] Part Seven Vietnam: The Ballad of Lustful Luke Ugh! What a shame-; He'd make love several Times a day?. As I swept the dusty steps, And cleaned my oily gun- And that is how we got to know And he'd say: And I'd answer: Yes, even when in the mist Of combat- He'd dip-down into "O flee, flee?" I told him many Times- Warped his mind. But he never zippered-up Those olive-green pants, Collapsed. Unable to stand: he was Part Eight Vietnam: The Barbwire "Their all messed up in the barbwire- let's fire!" They never made a moan. Wet, with sweat to the bone! Now here we stand, awaiting command And the VC hasn't a chance. Crack dirty jokes- And here we play cards and laugh Back through the barbwire fence; And wait?until they're gone. Part Nine Vietnam: Mothers Voice He went away, to war, that Autumn day Window ? He sang a song, called Vietnam He whistled. Ah yes, my eyes had Tears That so? For I held them deep inside My chest He never knew. My boy, my boy who sings So sweet I? But a mother has to let Life flow-, you know Son should die! For peace is bought with love And tears- Broken hearts? But death is always far Too near- God, if it be Thy Will. Part Ten Vietnam: Carry-on Soldier! I gave them my best (Where life is worth living, no doubt!) Believe in your mission- "Carry-on soldier; carry-on?.!" It's easy to fight, if you think It is right-! It is wrong-! But all I heard was: "Carry-on Soldier, carry-on!" Part Eleven Vietnam: the Cross [1975] And so, the war is now over Smile and try to be happy Note: these are poems #645 through #656/5/2005 Dennis Siluk http://dennissiluk.tripod.com
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