A TIME TO WHISPER AND A TIME TO SCREAM by Marvin "Swashplate" Camp
	A TIME TO WHISPER AND A TIME TO SCREAM By Swashplate For years, others tell me to stifle my cries, About Vietnam, and those that died. Stop your drinking and just forget, To help me sleep, I have no regret. The war is over, its all in your head, Yelling and sweating in my troubled bed. Take these meds and just go away, Come back to see us, some other day! Your sons are riddled with birth defects, All because of Agent Orange, and its effects. From ADD to steel screwed on legs, Not a civilian, but a Veteran begs. I feel shame as I lose job and career, All because of a persistent fear. My memory is bad from years on med, Short long and short term memory in my head. People call me a loser, and from an unjust war, Many employers quietly show me the door. VA trains me and sends me to school, All that I am now is an educated fool. For no matter how educated I may be, The employers check for meds, insurance problem, you see! After years of poverty and pride in myself, I close out the world, I put my social life on the shelf. I wear my Army clothes to show my pride, For fighting in a war, I didn't run and hide! So for years I whispered my rage, to offend no one, Now I SCREAM," I am A Vietnam Veteran and proud, I WON!"