Larry Winters: "Confession" PTSD

Larry Winters is a poet, men's group leader, Vietnam veteran group psychotherapist and the author of "The Making and Un-Making of a Marine" http://www.MakingAndUnmaking.com/ dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).


"Confession"
by Larry Winters

I'm ashamed that I may not have killed anyone in Vietnam.
I'm ashamed that I may have killed someone.
I'm proud that I was Marine.
I'm embarrassed to tell anyone that I was in the Marines.
I grew up believing in God and country.
In Vietnam I lost my belief in God and I distrust anything my country tells me.
Vietnam was the most beautiful country I ever saw: vibrant colors, skies piled with cumulus clouds, beautiful women with silk black hair.
Vietnam was an ugly, blood drenched sweating inferno where women and children were at times weapons themselves.
Vietnam made heroes out of school-boys.
Vietnam made traitors out of scared boys who hated what they were told to do but did it anyway.
I wanted my father to be proud of me for standing up and fighting for my country.
My father never asked me anything about the War when I returned.
I missed my girlfriend and married her as soon as I got home.
I divorced my wife and for years could not father our child.


To read/hear more of Larry's poetry and other writings visit http://www.MakingAndUnmaking.com/writings.html

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• poet
• poetry
• ptsd
• post
• traumatic
• stress
• disorder
• suicide
• veterans
• war
• Vietnam
• Confession

[benedets]

Powerful, painful, poetry! Keep speaking your truth, Larry.

[HillsideAS]

Thanks Steph, I'm sure Larry will appreciate your comment. Regards, M

[risaruseartist]

What trauma has in common are thoughts that self-defeat.

Healing comes when we hear a different beat.

risaruseartist

[beachintl]

I killed many and then we partied,,,whats this boobs problem,pussy

[beachintl]

Well that was totally depressing,,,get over it and quit your whinning

[adamls1980]

I loved your poem. it has been awhile since I had a good cry. It hurts me to see fellow marines in so much pain.

[mikejackson4ever]

"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times... "

[keanghiero]

very nice.

[lwindy]

Benedets,

Long time to respond but I'm on line and grateful for the feedback.

L

[lwindy]

Whiskey,

Right on the only real difference in war is landscape all the rest fits any war ever made.

[lwindy]

Hardcore,

Many of thought we were doing the right thing and its not our fault for that. When you grow up trusting it natural to believe what you are told. It is the hatred of self that can end and be seen as thank God you are a human that cares.

Go well

Larry

[lwindy]

Bill,

Happy to have you with me. Thanks for your service and your heart.

Larry