He has everything he needs, plus more
He sleeps in a comfortable bed
But memories of the Vietnam war
still linger in his head
Shadows of this past are a recurring nightmare
These nightmarish moments are when I must beware

In his dreams, shots ring out as he struggles to save his men
But the enemy keeps firing again and again
"Incoming!", he cries out
He rises from the bed as he shouts
He doesn't know he's awakened me from my sleep
I watch him in the dark as he slowly creeps

Still dreaming, he whispers to his men to be still
Then suddenly he yells, "Charge! Over the Hill!"
He throws out his arm as if tossing a grenade
Almost striking me but I was able to evade

He runs towards one of his men who's been hit
And he cries, "This war is bullshit!"
He yells, "Kill the enemy! Shoot them dead!"
As sweat is pouring from his head

Suddenly his body begins to jerk and shake
I decide it's time to make him wake
As loud as I can, without trying to scream
I say "Honey, wake up you're having a bad dream."

Copyright© 2000 Edie Bael