Vietnam

Vietnam

 

greenbacks for green marshes

and yellow oozing red

the joy of marches

the happy violence

as people carrying signs

are tear gassed with love

from establishment parents

sharing a sentiment

"no explanations, just do it because I said so"

 

the sacrifices abound

as does the hate on returning

to the lack of acceptance

doing duty to God and country

is a myth to many

who feel betrayed

by the very multitude

who were just a number in a lottery

and had no choice

when they were chosen

 

so many years later

we reflect failures

misadventures

agent Orange minds

squeezed shut

by a plethora of political shame

 

send us your strong

so we can shatter their futures

with guilt, regret

bewilderment as to why

Is this what God wanted?

 

Is this what I think about

when praying in Church

were we made in his image

 

and did that image

tote a gun, a grenade

and a lack of consideration 

for human life?

 

I am wearing out my rosary

trying to find the answers

and the beads are disintegrating

in my hands.

 

erin-cilberto

8/10/25

Reviews

[Relic]

Ain't no time to wonder why, whoopie we're all gonna die.

People burning draft cards, long hair being cut off, LSD....it's as though the government didn't approve of the hippie generation and wanted to teach them to be men, but they destroyed them in the process. I like the truth and irony in this one, J.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, destroyed so many...
thank you, Relic.
j.

[DIVYA]

I love how you pose such profound thoughts for us, on all the unfairness going around nowadays, dear Jacob. About the violence - yes, violence is not the answer and yet its cycle never ends. Man was initially made in God's image but chose to adopt Satan's image. And there lies the problem. God vanished the instant the serpent's apple was eaten by Adam. Having said that, I have to add that I feel that there is a kind of violence that cannot be condoned and must be quelled for future deterrence. My compliments on such beautiful poetry.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Such insightful words, Divya. Thank you for commenting on this poem.
j.

[DIVYA]

You're most welcome. Keep the wonderful poetry coming.

[Chris Shaw]

All that misery and destruction. Hits the emotions so powerfully. I remember that time so well from across the pond. My Dad had a great job offer in the States, we didn’t go. My brother could have been called up. That is why I am still here and not over there with an American accent. I pause and reflect on the appalling loss of life and know my Dad made the right choice. I weep for those who had no choice and hate politicians for their ease at getting involved in conflicts, they should not involve themselves in.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

It is easy for them to send troops and not be one themselves.
and I like your British accent just fine, Chris.
thanks,
j.

[Gray C. Sweet]

I am wearing out my rosary
trying to find the answers
beautiful couplet, great image, and rhythm. Thank you for sharing

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Gray C.
j.

[red93]

Highly appropriate and timely with the World on the brink of another Global Conflict. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, red. I sure hope we can somehow avoid it.

[Samuel Dickens]

My involvement was in late '72 and early '73, when Nixon was pulling out ground troops while stepping up bombing. Onboard the aircraft carrier, Ranger, we did the later. The movie, "Flight of the Intruder" sort of demonstrates that time. I was there because I was too dumb and incapable of doing anything else for a living. None of my well-off classmates from high school served--just us poor kids. Three of my good friends died over there. "What did their sacrifices buy us?", I often ask myself. And the other 58,000? I related to all the antiwar music of the time--War! What is it good for? Absolutely nuthin'! I can understand your wearing out your rosary beads.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Ah yes, Edwin Starr....
I appreciate your sharing, Samuel.
And that war especially...what was it good for except economic reasons?

[Ms claws]

And all the ones who joined to avoid the draft. I remember my Aunt Bee yeah crying because her only child joined. I guess it was one of those wars like Ukraine. If we didn't go there, it would soon take more and more territory away from freedom. Freedom ain't free.
The final stanza gave me chills, well, it all did, actually.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Eternity....the draft decided who went and who stayed home. We were all numbers then.
read moreThank you, Eternity....the draft decided who went and who stayed home. We were all numbers then.
j.

[John the Baptist]

Those who led us into the Vietnam War had seen unopposed totalitarianism lead the world into WW2 and were determined not to make the same mistake. Unfortunately, they stepped into a morass that defied all efforts to straighten it out. So it was that the war dragged on interminably and more and more of our youth were sucked into it. Thus, the war stands as a lesson: Don't get involved in foriegn matters unless you can envision an exit.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, there must be an exit. Thank you, John.
j.

[Kelly Scheppers]

You've not only paid homage to a war that was incomprehensible, but you've also conjured up a song that specifically focuses on the experiences of those soldiers, acknowledging their sacrifices. The song is "Goodnight Saigon", by Billy Joel. A timeless anthem, just like what you've written here. You've honored the sacrifices of war veterans, in a most resonating, profound way. It carries a lot of weight, Jacob. And is most appreciated!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Kelly.
j.

[poetic swan]

A searing, reflective poem exposing war’s hypocrisy and moral cost, intertwining political critique with personal faith’s erosion in haunting imagery, well writen

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, poetic swan.
j.

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Jacob,

Powerful words of truth here that have seen America's onslaught of always waging war against smaller, tinier, and weaker nations continued to this very day ... The names have changed: Grenada, Afghanistan, Iraq, and who knows which helpless nation is to be next?

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, who knows? We will find a way to join a new one...we always do.
thank you, Marvin
j.