Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Threw himself on a grenade in the mud
Fortunately for him, it was a dud.
...
Survived the Vietnam war
But lost my life
Traveled to come home
...
When I built my PTSD house 45 years ago
I installed a septic tank down below
A lot of poop has built up over the decades
...
Have to run now
To distance my emotions somehow
Not sure of what to do with everything I was feeling
My intrusive thoughts kept me reeling
...
Considering becoming a man of the moon
The opposite of living life around noon
What difference would it make
The time of day I am awake
...
Called to Cambodia, a place called 'Fish Hook'
Lots of boys down, thought about taking the Chinook
Very hot area, called gun ships for cover
Need their big guns, while they hover
...
I had a dream last night
Different from my usual plight
Instead of nightmares about the war
...
Long plane ride across the sea
Armed only with the Word of God
What aid could this kid be
With such a land to trod
...
Worked six days a week in the ER
On my day off I'd hike out to where the Montagnards are
I volunteered to conduct a sick call
As they didn't have modern medical support at all
...
While on duty at the 71st
We rotate through Charge of Quarters
From the beginning, my duty was cursed
For we soon had incoming mortars
...
As a young man, heard Desmond Doss speak
Wounded three times, but had a winning streak
Won the Medal of Honor, for his gallant performance
Conscientious Objector, and not a conformance
...
Seems I have that PTSD bit
As was diagnosed by the VA
Thought I'd write a poem about it
Will try to focus today
...
Like fording a flowing river,
Can knock you off your feet.
I went from a busy socialite,
To a man in full retreat.
...
So I have this PTSD disease
Oh you need to go see Dr. Burress
Asked may I have some meds please
Said it's my feelings I want to suppress
...
I was just walking along one day
Spending time in my usual way
When along came this Greyhound bus
It must have been doing seventy plus
...
I have a ninety year old father who lives with me
He has pain in his back and in his knee
His doctor gave him this Percocet pill
...
I've appreciated dozens of Memorial Days
I've celebrated it in lots of ways
I've been to the Indy 500
...
I keep hearing that this PTSD is here to stay
My only hope is to try to cope in some way
These memories are embedded in my brain
...
Diagnosed with PTSD about seven months ago
Because of my experiences as a GI Joe
I think I have seen nine doctors if I remember right
...
Hello everyone. I guess I have some cretive blood in me. At age 9 I started oil painting. at 13 I picked up the classical guitar and became a concert classical guitarist by age 18. I just enjoy creating things from my own custom home to my current hot rod. Most recently this PTSD from the Vietnam War has caught up with me after 45 years. To assist with my therapy, I have begun writing. I find it very helpful in assisting to format healthy thoughts. It is my wish that you find my poetry helpful in some manner. These poems should enlighten you to the mind and thoughts of the PTSD diseased veteran war.)
I Know Of A Hero
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Threw himself on a grenade in the mud
Fortunately for him, it was a dud.
Not I, but it know of a hero who...
Flew his helicopter in with enemy all around
Tried to fly away, was shot to the ground.
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Threw his body on a grenade to soften the blast
Gave of his own life so others will last.
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Shot six snipers, plus two more by hand
Sacrificed himself, while his platoon made a stand.
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Made five charges to create a perimeter gap
Enabling his company to exit the trap
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Encouraged and directed his men where to return fire
Pushed back the enemy outside the wire
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Positioned himself to protect his friend
Watched the enemy aim, knowing it's the end
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Sees a grenade come in, his own life to give
Covers with his helmet, all men will live
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Single handily reduced the enemy into defeat
Provided cover, while the wounded made a retreat
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Fell on a grenade and survived the blast
Gave aid to his comrade, before he passed
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Pulled the wounded to safety, giving CPR as he went
Aided his comrades, until he himself was spent
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Pilot can't survive the crash, but the navigator can
Ditched plane in the water, to save the other man
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Destroyed 10 enemy bunkers and more
Saved his own life, and those of his corps
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Utilized 3 helicopters, to evacuate 51
It's hard to comprehend what he had just done
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Caught an incoming grenade and held it to his chest
Saved 3 of his comrades, from the blast he suppressed
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Was seriously wounded and driven to win
Took a rocket, to do him in
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Destroyed a bunker and performed without a flaw
Forcing enemy troops, to quickly withdraw
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Organized a retreat to save his men
Went back in, to do it all again
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Malfunctioned his grenade, seconds to react
To save his platoon, he absorbed the impact
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Was a POW who adhered to the code
Gained respect from the enemy, for the valor he showed
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Rolled over on grenade so comrades wouldn't pass away
Energized his team, to defeat the NVA
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Crossed a river to recover his wounded when success was slim
Moved them all to safety, even though he couldn't swim
Not I, but I know of a hero who...
Kept his damaged jet in the air to complete his mission
Silenced the enemy defensive position