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Array ( [sid] => 42781 [catid] => 1 [aid] => mick [title] => In The Still Of The Night. [time] => 2004-04-11 18:16:28 [hometext] => [bodytext] => IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT…(©Peter Sprenkeler)

Always found it curious…the ‘withdrawn’ returned soldier,
Seldom speaking of heroism and deeds so bold.
In particular the Vietnam Veteran…they remain silent,
Yet their remarkable story is rarely accurately told.

A unique conflict of grim and often close contact,
Eyeball to eyeball fighting so often the case.
Fighting not only the enemy…but also appalling conditions,
Death lurking everywhere…each and every pace.

The close hand horror these soldiers experienced,
Surely must have taken a huge emotional toll.
It is little wonder…these people are aloof and reserved,
Still in shock…are their scarred and blood spattered souls.

Side by side…covered in the blood of friend and enemy alike,
Never knowing from which direction ‘the bullet’ would arrive.
Even the enemy was indistinct…were they soldier or civilian,
A confusing conflict...the only certainty they may not survive.

I once heard it said of these soldiers…”in the still of the night…
They will always hear the screams”.
Surely this has had an effect on their very humanity,
Remaining painful and vivid in their peacetime dreams.

These men experienced horrors…unique in warfare,
And have difficulty when society of their feelings does demand.
It is not that they won’t talk…it is just that they can’t talk,
For few of them many years on…can even begin to understand.

So they remain aloof…it is only to ex-vets they will confide,
For it is only these war-buddies who know how they feel.
We have not had their experience…we are unqualified,
The horror of their pain…from us they gallantly conceal.

In war they endured the nightmare…and fought with heroism,
But now in peacetime with a new enemy they must deal.
Relentless and even in sleep…”in the still of the night”,
The battered remnants of their souls…this new enemy tries to steal.

[comments] => 1 [counter] => 150 [topic] => 19 [informant] => pete [notes] => [ihome] => 0 [alanguage] => english [acomm] => 0 [haspoll] => 0 [pollID] => 0 [score] => 4 [ratings] => 1 [editpoem] => 1 [associated] => [topicname] => InspirationalPoems )

In The Still Of The Night.

Contributed by pete on Sunday, 11th April 2004 @ 06:16:28 PM in AEST
Topic: InspirationalPoems

IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT…(©Peter Sprenkeler)

Always found it curious…the ‘withdrawn’ returned soldier,
Seldom speaking of heroism and deeds so bold.
In particular the Vietnam Veteran…they remain silent,
Yet their remarkable story is rarely accurately told.

A unique conflict of grim and often close contact,
Eyeball to eyeball fighting so often the case.
Fighting not only the enemy…but also appalling conditions,
Death lurking everywhere…each and every pace.

The close hand horror these soldiers experienced,
Surely must have taken a huge emotional toll.
It is little wonder…these people are aloof and reserved,
Still in shock…are their scarred and blood spattered souls.

Side by side…covered in the blood of friend and enemy alike,
Never knowing from which direction ‘the bullet’ would arrive.
Even the enemy was indistinct…were they soldier or civilian,
A confusing conflict...the only certainty they may not survive.

I once heard it said of these soldiers…”in the still of the night…
They will always hear the screams”.
Surely this has had an effect on their very humanity,
Remaining painful and vivid in their peacetime dreams.

These men experienced horrors…unique in warfare,
And have difficulty when society of their feelings does demand.
It is not that they won’t talk…it is just that they can’t talk,
For few of them many years on…can even begin to understand.

So they remain aloof…it is only to ex-vets they will confide,
For it is only these war-buddies who know how they feel.
We have not had their experience…we are unqualified,
The horror of their pain…from us they gallantly conceal.

In war they endured the nightmare…and fought with heroism,
But now in peacetime with a new enemy they must deal.
Relentless and even in sleep…”in the still of the night”,
The battered remnants of their souls…this new enemy tries to steal.

Copyright Â© pete ... [ 2004-04-11 18:16:28]
(Date/Time posted on site)

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Re: In The Still Of The Night. (User Rating: 1 )
by Stitch on Sunday, 11th April 2004 @ 07:19:41 PM AEST
(User Info | Send a Message)

I have found the same to be true of many WW2 vets. I guess what they experienced is just too awful. An interesting perspective that I don't think gets enough attention. Bravo!
Stitch

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