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Lonnie

Jul 06, 2016 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

A soldier's Legacy

A Soldier’s legacy

The silence of the enemy
who made my blood run cold
is aging me quite rapidly
yes, I am growing old

Electric blues and jungle shoes
have preyed upon my youth
and stranded me in fantasy
unrecognized by truth

And all my friends are odds and ends
of post-war therapy
condemned to dwell in Asian hell
instead of living free

but you and I have touched the sky
with shaking, blood-stained hands
we’ve come to know where soldiers go
when lost in distant lands

And yet it seems we still have dreams
of righting what went wrong
to shed our shame, to clear our name,
and prove that we belong

C. Lon R. Bruso

About This Poem

Last Few Words: Thought I would re-share an oldie of mine that some may not have seen.

Style/Type: Structured: Western

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
How does this theme appeal to you?
Is the internal logic consistent?

Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Editing Stage: Not actively editing

About the Author

Region, Country: New England, originally, now, Macon, N.C., USA

Favorite Poets: Poe, Frost, Bob Dylan

Comments

judyanne

9 years ago

hi Lonnie

I can't remember if I've read this before or not -- seems familiar
great telling, with good rhythm and rhyme.... just to be expected from you ..
love judy
xxx

Lonnie

9 years ago

Thanks Judyanne

This was from my first book of poetry, just thought I'd share it again for giggles.

jane210660

9 years ago

Hi, I have never experienced war first hand, yet still this touches a nerve and I find it very moving.
The rhythm and rhyme add to it, rhyme is something I find difficult, so admire when others have done it well.
Cheers Jx

Lonnie

9 years ago

Thank you Jayne

Its a poem about the effect that P.T.S.D. and war memories can have on a person, glad you enjoyed it!

jane210660

9 years ago

I did enjoy it, but it made

I did enjoy it, but it made me feel the despair too. Jx

Esker

9 years ago

cadence of the poem

"all my friends are odds and ends"
creative and true!
a great poem of memory
just a kid civvie
but that war blew open the concience
of the times....the protests and music
every summer the fear of those years
late sixties through till we watched
apocalypse now in school when
it was almost new....always haunts
me...i wear a Jungle Jacket
faux enough to make peace with
the heavy imprint it left on the family
and I think about the kids that went
drafted or joined up..or the ones
that ran away north via Toronto
and settled...we had vets and
those that chose too not go
all about....
reading up on it..cant stop watching
the vids..studying what the youth
had too carry.....e bay has tons
of material for sale....
it is unimaginable
Thank U for your service Lonnie
and writing your poetry!
been wondering where U
were!

Mr Esker!
my birth dad was born
in america

Lonnie

9 years ago

Thank you very much!

very interesting times those were, for sure. affected a good many people in many different ways as I can surely testify too. Thanks for reading!

raj

9 years ago

Words from a good human being

Words from a good human being nicely scripted in these verses expressing the inner turmoil of a soldier for being part of an unjust war....

Regards,