Vietnam Victim
DEDICATED TO MY FATHER, (R) COLONEL WILLIAM C. GODWIN / 1931 - 1998
Leaving for a year
to nightmare and fear
he came to say goodbye
or at least to try.
I did not speak,
didn’t open my eyes,
an unknown fear
had me paralyzed.
My Father full-blown,
a force in uniform
is memory that haunts,
fulfilling neither’s wants.
My pretend sleep,
him standing above -
we should have spoken,
held and shown love.
I only peaked
at my Father’s face.
This sadness won’t leave,
I still crave embrace.
Did he know, did he realize,
his ten-year-old was alert
behind closed eyes? Did Dad
also regret what I cannot forget?
August 16, 2015
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