The Book of Vietnam

The Book of Vietnam

The book is wide and black

with lines across the page.

Their names and dates of numbers

will calculate their age.

Subtract them from the living

in time of war and rage.

Good God!

Think of them, their numbers

that lost unto some goals.

Think of them, their families

that lost these trusted souls.

Think of the generations

that never fill the holes.

Think  of Them.

The book of Vietnam.

What everyone should read

before we hate and promise

to satisfy a need.

Fifty eight times thousand

we tore our trusted seed.

Remember Them.

(C) John Steinmeyer

John Steinmeyer served in Vietnam as an Infantry Sergeant with the 9th division in the Mekong Delta, then was transferred to the 25th Division and served the last half of his tour in a sniper team.

Thuy Smith’s father (Vietnam Veteran) and Vietnamese mother along with Thuy were friends of John and his family. These are poems from a collection that John wrote of his many experiences during his time in Vietnam. The collection is titled – The Rain. This is the last one of many from a collection of poems, 32 total. You can find more of our favorites below.

Thuy Smith (TSOI) was given permission to share his poems on all of TSOI’s media platforms, etc.

More of John’s Poems

1. Other Side
2. Sniffer
3. The Fish
4. L.C, and L.C. 2 –Two gone, waiting for number three
5. Sour (1) Sealed (2)
6.  In The Grinder (1) The Teller (2) 
7.  The Rifle (1) Turn (2)
8. The Picture (1), Nothing (2)
9. Not Me
10. The Rain (1), There Are (2)
11. His Counseling (1), Uncle John (2)
12. Cheers (1), Bloody Garden (2)
13. Our other posts on PTSD (Missing Video will return soon)