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My Friend...
28 March, 2008
Author: Shiloh

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An Khe...  Quan Loi...  Hoi An...  Tra Vinh...   Kontum...
Loc Ninh... Plei Me... Phan Rang... Ninh Hoa... Ben Het...
Gia Dinh... Long Xuyen...  My Lai... Vung Tau... Tan Thanh...
Phu Bai...  Ap Nam...  Bo Loi...  Cam Ly...  Quang Ngai...
Tan An...  Phan Thiet...  Moc Hoa...  Ap Long...  Phu Cat...
Dak To...  Dau Tieng...  Ia Drang...  Loc Son...  Vinh Long...
Xuan Loc...  Ben Cat...  Phu Nhon...  Nha Trang...  A Shau...
Bien Hoa...  Can Tho...  Qui Nhon...  Truc Giang...  Go Cong...
Hue...  My Thanh...  Dalat...  Khe Sanh...  Long Binh...
Bear Cat...  Bing Thuy...  Phu Vinh...  Cu Chi...  Dong Tam...
Saigon...  Chu Lai...  Buon Me Thuot...  Tam Ky...  Laos...
Dong Ap Bia...  Bong Son...  Phuoc Ha...  Quan Long...  Song Be...
Tra Bong...  Que Son...  Bu Dop...  Cambodia...  Pleiku...
Soc Trang...  Tay Ninh...  Dak Pek...  Cam Ranh...  Tuy Hoa...
Tan Son Nhut...  Udorn...  Cao Lanh...  Da Nang...  Quang Tri...

My friend...
    I can't give you the security of the fortunately wise,
    The spirit of the loudly strong,
    The vision of the prophets,
    Or the endurance of the distance runners...
And...
    I can't bring you detachment's gift of casual reason,
    The blessed certainty of mind's opinions meanings,
    Or the cheers, or anger, of those knowing right from wrong...
My friend...
    I can't even tell you whether war's a sin and peace a holy blessing,
    Or where the greater madness lies --
    In battle, or in the midst of smiling crowds...
    For all of dear old friendship's sake,
    And time gone by,
    I've only heart's deep, gentle sorrow now to give you --
    And the silence that will seek, but never find, a word...
My friend...  

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Comments on this poem/writing:

friend (71.217.52.81) -- Saturday, March 29 2008, 03:51 am

Thanks friend

Thanks friend! How time has gone by, 40 yrs to be exact. Was at the base of a mountain, between Dalat and Phan Rang. A small group of a hundred construction engineer group repairing their roads to Dalat. I arrived in Cam Ranh Bay and like my TDY in Nha Trang. The beach was so nice there. If it wasn't for the war then, it would be an interesting place to visit. There are some things we don't talk about, but I don't mind sharing this. Those soldiers fighting in Irag, are going through the same things. "Who is the ememy?" When they shoot at you, then you'll know! They blend right back amongst the people. Thanks my friend, enjoyed your poem
shiloh (66.24.112.118) -- Sunday, March 30 2008, 03:02 am

thank you...

i've been working on this one more than 28 years... glad to see someone else likes it; i have found my enemy, oftentimes, to be my own mind - the doubts, the worries, the fears, the questions... no answers ever easily found... peace to you, my brother... welcome home. (11B 9th Inf Div 1966-67)
Bipedalguy (65.96.237.196) -- Wednesday, May 7 2008, 07:10 pm

Written by someone who's been there.

I haven't been there, but I know you have.
Your poem is very thoughtful, and beautifully written. It's clearly the product of years of difficult retrospect. It's good that you are able to express that perspective on a dark period in our history.

Be Well, My Friend.
Bipedalguy
 
Name:                                           Remember Me

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