Seasons of Change
Viewing comments for Chapter 9 "Seasons of Love and Marriage - 3"A collection of 30 poems in thirty days
14 total reviews
Comment from karenina
The war of my generation...(and yours I think.)
So much here tears at my heart... I lost friends who never came home. I lost friends who came home forever changed. PTSD was hardly "embraced" then, even by (especially by) the VA.
I spent a year working in a locked Vietnam Vet psychiatric unit...
I saw those men dive to the floor when I clumsily dropped a lunch tray.
This poem breaks my heart. All vets deserve better. Nam vets got little help and less respect.
To this day I make it a point to thank every veteran for their sacrifice...
What a fine poem, Jim.
Karenina
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2023
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The war of my generation...(and yours I think.)
So much here tears at my heart... I lost friends who never came home. I lost friends who came home forever changed. PTSD was hardly "embraced" then, even by (especially by) the VA.
I spent a year working in a locked Vietnam Vet psychiatric unit...
I saw those men dive to the floor when I clumsily dropped a lunch tray.
This poem breaks my heart. All vets deserve better. Nam vets got little help and less respect.
To this day I make it a point to thank every veteran for their sacrifice...
What a fine poem, Jim.
Karenina
Comment Written 30-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2023
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My deepest and sincere thank you, especially for your service to those whose wounds were not so visible.
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I pray for them all -- to find peace of mind and the respect they so rightly deserve!
Comment from Wendy G
Quite a story in a poem, with elements of groef and distress as well as elements of humour. It brings back the question of war damage and how poorly people were assisted with the resultant trauma. Well written.
Wendy
reply by the author on 09-Apr-2023
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Quite a story in a poem, with elements of groef and distress as well as elements of humour. It brings back the question of war damage and how poorly people were assisted with the resultant trauma. Well written.
Wendy
Comment Written 09-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 09-Apr-2023
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yes, a long hard struggle for far many, thankfully there has been changes with the recent veterans.
Comment from Chrissy710
Hi JLR,
Wow you sure gave us an insight into the aftereffects of serving in Vietnam. What a shame, you like many other returned soldiers felt 'unworthy' of a loving relationship, as haunted by what happened. I have a friend who although still married, has counselling, even now at times, and has health issues from his time in Nam.
Your free style writing is raw and honest, along with a snap shot of your life. I look forward to you next chapter.
Cheers Chris
reply by the author on 09-Apr-2023
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Hi JLR,
Wow you sure gave us an insight into the aftereffects of serving in Vietnam. What a shame, you like many other returned soldiers felt 'unworthy' of a loving relationship, as haunted by what happened. I have a friend who although still married, has counselling, even now at times, and has health issues from his time in Nam.
Your free style writing is raw and honest, along with a snap shot of your life. I look forward to you next chapter.
Cheers Chris
Comment Written 09-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 09-Apr-2023
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Chris, thank you. Yes, the use of agent orange and the limited focus on PTSD in the early post-Viet Nam war has created an I told number of health and mental issues that swamp the VA system across America. It ple@sss me that you share your friend still uses counseling when needed.
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
This sounds real, so I'll say I'm so sorry for the PTSD that took from you your marriage. Your poem indicates that you both tried, but it was beyond your reach. I hope with healing and maturity, you found a love to last.
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2023
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This sounds real, so I'll say I'm so sorry for the PTSD that took from you your marriage. Your poem indicates that you both tried, but it was beyond your reach. I hope with healing and maturity, you found a love to last.
Comment Written 08-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2023
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Verna, Grace and lots of therapy paved the way for alive to blossom once again, thank for your kind review.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-Good artwork and presentation.
-Your notes are appreciated.
-This is a heartfelt poem.
-You tell a very good story with this poem,
with vivid imagery allowing us to picture each scene.
-When you talk about the sign around your neck,
feelings you had must have been difficult at times.
-Also important is the lesson you hadn't learned;
that you have to love yourself first. It is a hard
one for anyone, but having had the experiences
you must have had, it had to be like climbing a mountain peak.
-I'm sorry your marriage didn't work out, and her feelings must
have been difficult to hear, but you were gracious about it,
and that counts for a lot.
-Writing this with such honesty allows people to see
a fraction of what being in that war cost emotionally.
You never know who you will help in writing it,
and maybe it was helpful for you, as well.
-Thank you for sharing this and for your service to your country.
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2023
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-Good artwork and presentation.
-Your notes are appreciated.
-This is a heartfelt poem.
-You tell a very good story with this poem,
with vivid imagery allowing us to picture each scene.
-When you talk about the sign around your neck,
feelings you had must have been difficult at times.
-Also important is the lesson you hadn't learned;
that you have to love yourself first. It is a hard
one for anyone, but having had the experiences
you must have had, it had to be like climbing a mountain peak.
-I'm sorry your marriage didn't work out, and her feelings must
have been difficult to hear, but you were gracious about it,
and that counts for a lot.
-Writing this with such honesty allows people to see
a fraction of what being in that war cost emotionally.
You never know who you will help in writing it,
and maybe it was helpful for you, as well.
-Thank you for sharing this and for your service to your country.
Comment Written 08-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2023
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Pam, thank you! I have come to learn that like the seasons, parts of ourselvs must die, to be enabled to grow. I truly do hope this might reach anyone who needs to cling to the fact they are not in this life alone, I would also add find help ... it is out there! I will forever be grateful for my therapist!
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You are welcome, Jim, and I am glad that you did seek help. So many don't, and that is sad.
Comment from royowen
I'd have to say, sometimes losing one's needs to come to find it again. But with some they had already lost their lives but not on the battlefield, more trying to survive after wounds that are too deep to heal. My dad and my brother fought in some horrid conditions, but both survived, perhaps they learned to bury their experiences, beautifully written Jim, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2023
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I'd have to say, sometimes losing one's needs to come to find it again. But with some they had already lost their lives but not on the battlefield, more trying to survive after wounds that are too deep to heal. My dad and my brother fought in some horrid conditions, but both survived, perhaps they learned to bury their experiences, beautifully written Jim, blessings Roy
Comment Written 07-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2023
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thanks so much for sharing this Roy. If/when a person finally leans into God one can start peeling the onion one struggle at a time to become whole.
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Absolutely
Comment from shelley kaye
those eyes in the picture look really freaky lol
excellent story poem with a strong message
smooth flow with some rhyme
thank you for sharing
shelley :)
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2023
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those eyes in the picture look really freaky lol
excellent story poem with a strong message
smooth flow with some rhyme
thank you for sharing
shelley :)
Comment Written 07-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2023
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Thanks!
Comment from lyenochka
From your other early autobiographical posts, I knew your first wife left and here in this poem, you recount the reasons. Thank you so much for your service. The physical wounds cannot compare to the emotional wounds you suffered. It would seem too hard to have a normal life while suffering from PTSD.
He'd did say, "Thanks, you were (He'd say -or- He did say)
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2023
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From your other early autobiographical posts, I knew your first wife left and here in this poem, you recount the reasons. Thank you so much for your service. The physical wounds cannot compare to the emotional wounds you suffered. It would seem too hard to have a normal life while suffering from PTSD.
He'd did say, "Thanks, you were (He'd say -or- He did say)
Comment Written 07-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2023
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Thank you.
Comment from Ginda Simpson
Your verse is well written, reminding us how the war in Vietnam robbed both veterans and their spouses of the best years of their lives. Sadly, it continues, now a matter of disease that steals peace and wellness from their sunset years. Thank you for your service.
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2023
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Your verse is well written, reminding us how the war in Vietnam robbed both veterans and their spouses of the best years of their lives. Sadly, it continues, now a matter of disease that steals peace and wellness from their sunset years. Thank you for your service.
Comment Written 07-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2023
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Thank you.
Comment from Sanku
That is a touching story skilfully told in smooth flowing lines. It is sad that the veterans suffer so much that they are not able to llive a normal life with others...
I hope wars will never happen
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2023
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That is a touching story skilfully told in smooth flowing lines. It is sad that the veterans suffer so much that they are not able to llive a normal life with others...
I hope wars will never happen
Comment Written 07-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2023
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I agree fully, thank you.