A web site that shares the emotional and spiritual experiences of the Vietnam War through poetry, stories, and photos by combat veterans.

Hosted by Vietnam Veteran Bill McDonald

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FORGIVENESS 

I was not prepared

For what I saw

Or what I had to do

I was just a naive kid

They never taught me to use the

weapons

That my life depended upon

Never prepared me

For death

Except in abstract ways

I did not know about death

Not until I held

A dead friend in my arms

As a youth I hunted

But it was just a game

The animals were there for killing

But never a man

So at eighteen

I had seen death

I had caused death

I was evil

No amount of prayers

Will allow me to forgive me

I was there

I was to blame

I was not ready

For this step into evil

And now I find

I cannot step back to innocence

My youth was lost

In Vietnam

I should not have survived

I should not be alive

And I can’t forgive myself

For living
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Copyright 2002 - Gregory A. Helle

All material is copyright protected 1991- 2008  Permission is required to use any photos, stories or poetry from this website. CONTACT WEBMASTER