Phu-Bai, Vietnam
May 1966 - January 1968
Guard Duty,
In the bunker or watch tower
With the barbed wire
And mine field beyond.
Walking to your perimeter post,
You walked through mostly sand.
But, there were turfs of green grass -
Here and there.
There was dust on the grass,
Shades of orange, yellow, and red.
You would walk -
Kicking up the dust,
Which ended up on your clothes.
You, brushed it off. the best you could,
Proceeding on - Duty Calls
We were never warned
About the danger.
Keep filing claims as long as you can. Sometimes they actually pay up!
Beautiful poem, Hank. Hope you're feeling better. Keep writing, my friend.
Dave, it was great working with you and our VA family for so many years assisting Veterans and their families. Working for the Veterans Administration was a high point in my life.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Agent Orange was topical during and after the war in Vietnam and you were unlucky to come in contact with it. I hope your appeal succeeds. 'We were never warned/ About the danger'.
Michael, Thank you for the comment! ! Yes, I will file an appeal.