A Soldier's Poems: by Mihanel Pabon

Mihanel Pabon

Intrusive Thoughts

by Mihanel Pabon

It's a memory embedded 

in your brain

that's not so much a memory

as it is a stain.

No matter how long ago it was

when most will say, let it pass

You are not trying to remember it

you're trying to dismember it.

Normalcy becomes an illusion

for when everything seems to be all right,

when it appears you're winning the fight,

BOOM, a trigger appears.

Unfortunately, you never know 

when, 

where, 

or what

a trigger could be,

a smell, 

a sound, 

or something you see.

I could go on writing for untold pages

and write a manifesto for the ages,

but I just want you to understand

that I'm really trying

 against this intrusion

to take a stand.

I'm going to go straight to the core.

You see, I want to enjoy

this precious moment of normalcy.

It was all caused

by war.

Why I Am

Mihanel Pabon

I Am, so you can be

What you choose to be

I am, so no one in your way can get

And in comfort, your roots you may set

I am forever in your service

Sometimes I do get nervous

But that's part of who I am

That's my humanity

Which does not include vanity

I will do everything I've learned

To stop inhumanity

It's not in vain

To be proud of who you are

And from where you came

To always be true to the cause

Never ever seeking, or wanting applause

It's who I am

So you can be

Above all things, happy and free

My family I love very much

But as a human being

In one way, or another, everyone's life we touch

Thank God

They understand who I am

So the old can be happy and free

And the same way the young grow older

Is why I fulfill my destiny

I am

Soldier

About the Author:

Mihanel Pabon was 11 Bravo (grunt) and in Vietnam from January 27 to December 20, 1970.

He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with Elaine, his wife of forty years.  As he says, "Talk about deserving a medal -- I mean Congressional -- I was fortunate to find someone so strong."

Mihanel and Elaine have two daughters, Mandy and Tara, and a four month-old granddaughter, Lei-Lani Olivia. 

A lot of Mihanel's writings were the direct result of requests, which he customized. If you need the right words for anyone, or any situation, feel free to leave him a comment with your email address, so he can contact you.  He will be happy to try and help.

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do, and by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale


Feel free to comment on this post. You are also invited to write about anything you feel comfortable sharing. Memoirs From Nam is YOUR blog. You are writing America's history, sharing the truth about the Vietnam veteran, and what it was like in Our War.