A Vietnam Father
by Kelly Kupczyk

I was always scared of you
But I never knew,
How your life had changed
As you kept your feelings caged.
I only knew what I saw,
Now I look at the pictures and am in awe.

I was too young to understand,
How you could go to that land.
It was before my time,
And now understand it was no crime.
You did what you had to do,
And because of it I honor you.

I know it's hard to say,
How you felt that very day.
I can't imagine the feelings you felt
With the unlucky cards you were dealt,
The urge to reach for your gun
The desire you lost with time to come.

You have been through so much,
And yet still you have that gentle touch.
I hate that look you get on your face,
As you remember the precious time you spent at that place.
Scared forever with a sense of sadness,
That was caused long ago by a country's madness.

One thing will always be true,
I am so proud of you
And as War arises once again I am here for you,
Because you are my father and I love you.

Kelly Kupczyk is a full time student at Daemen College , majoring in biochemistry and hoping to pursue a degree in medicine or pharmacy.