The American General and the U.S. Senator
"Yes ma'am," responded the General.
"Could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am'?" she said.
"I worked so hard to get that title."
Her eyes flashed anger -- at him she gazed.
"Yes, Senator," said the American soldier.
My heart hurt for the fatherly figure I've embraced,
For he is just like one of the American Viet vets
Whose ultimate sacrifice shall never fade.
How dare a politician take a soldier for granted.
How "grateful" she is to the ones who have lived and died
For the very freedom that gives her the "political power."
Did Mrs. Boxer say "working hard" has her "being a senator" qualified?
I don't know, my beloved benefactors on The Viet Veteran Wall.
I only see the politician get there by being in the right place and time,
Working smart to outdo his/her opponents;
His/her heart can suddenly turn into rime.
I see the man work hard mopping the hospital floors
Late into the night, wiping the sweat from his forehead
So the patients will wake up enjoying the clean, shiny hallways;
I see the doctors and nurses work hard, trying to resuscitate the dead.
Thank You America, the land of the Free
From Normandy to Khe Sanh to Afghanistan
Your soldier sons and daughters work hard to protect us
Despite many wars, from communism to terrorism, you still stand...
Linh Duy Vo
July 4, 2009©
© Copyright by Linh Duy Vo. All rights reserved.