Hurrah! (Ode to Philip)
By coyote
They say the war is over, they say the time is now.They say we all can come back home, we say we don't know how.We sat so long in shadows, afraid to see the sun.So many times back in the past the promise came undone.They say we all are heroes, the vets of Vietnam.But I don't think they understand just who or why I am.So many lies and alibis professed by those who stayed...so long as they looked down their nose, that long we were betrayed.And what about our comrades who didn't quite survive?They couldn't take the guilt and shame--they couldn't stay alive.Others living yet in solitude, still troubled and alone.They came back to the USA but never made it home.Yeah, the war is finally halted and we can hold our heads up high.America has forgiven us and it doesn't matter why.The blessing is upon us, and the curse is gone at last.We're celebrated heroes now, but the time for that has passed.Just let us be remebered in the statues and the songs,as those who traveled down the road of many rights and wrongs.Like soldiers in those other wars we fought the gallant fight,but came back home to ridicule and had to stay the night.1998, Written October 1st, 2001 © on Aug 24 2001 05:48 PM PST 0 • 14 • 10
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"They say the war is over, they say the time is now.They say we all can come back home, we say we don't know how.We sat so long in shadows, afraid to see the sun.So many times back in the past the promise came undone.They say we all are heroes, the vets of Vietnam.But I don't think they understand just who or why I am.So many lies and alibis professed by those who stayed...so long as they looked down their nose, that long we were betrayed.And what about our comrades who didn't quite survive?They couldn't take the guilt and shame--they couldn't stay alive.Others living yet in solitude, still troubled and alone.They came back to the USA but never made it home.Yeah, the war is finally halted and we can hold our heads up high.America has forgiven us and it doesn't matter why.The blessing is upon us, and the curse is gone at last.We're celebrated heroes now, but the time for that has passed.Just let us be remebered in the statues and the songs,as those who traveled down the road of many rights and wrongs.Like soldiers in those other wars we fought the gallant fight,but came back home to ridicule and had to stay the night.1998,..."