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This Poem was Submitted By: Thomas H. Smihula On Date: 2006-03-09 07:35:43 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Being this way, isn't really me, unless I can change, a threat to society. If I can no longer, show my thoughts; then I will die, this is what God wraughts. Without knowing an end, I was never born. If I knew not right, then I couldn't scorn. This is why, acting the way I do; it is not only for me, but also for you. It's to try tell you, the way I feel. Not to harm you, for I cannot kill. What I mean is do not hurt, the man inside. in the end you will suffer, and be the one to cry. Can you tell what I'm after, its to really be free. if this can't happen, then I'll never be Me.

Additional Notes:
Written 40 years ago while in VietNam...from the archives.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2006-04-11 05:19:12
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.91667
All we can ever hope for is to be true to ourselves no matter what and the vietnam war was such a most difficult war to be in...............so many emotions still felt today , the pain, the loss, the sorrow of it all.......I for one thank you for being there and I thank the Lord for bringing you home........many of our friends were not so furtunate and many who did return have never been the same........Emotions are the most difficult things to sometimes free us from and some of us never are able to do that.....it is good that you are able to express your feelings even back then, forty years ago, in VietNam, a time perhaps one might want to forget but can't.....it was real, it happened, it changed the lives of thousands......again, thanks for posting, for sharing, for allowing us into this place..........God Bless, Claire

This Poem was Critiqued By: arnie s WACHMAN On Date: 2006-04-07 18:57:29
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.51852
It is only you that can feel the freedom of yourself. No one can take that away from you unless you let them. I am sure Vietnam did a number on you, and god bless you for coming out with the anger.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Mary J Coffman On Date: 2006-03-31 11:33:09
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Thomas, I have to say that I found this to be very 'moving' the first time I read through it. Then I read your notes at the end, and re-read it. WOW! It was heartwrenching to begin with, but the notes gave it a whole different perspective for me. It was 'then' that I could actually 'feel' your words. The misery, sadness, remorse, and yes...even the guilt of having to do something that goes completely against who we really are. I can't disect this one, as I believe my feeble attempt at it would diminish everything it is. For, it is the power of the emotion contained in this that speaks to me. Every lines literally drips with it! It grabs your very soul, and hangs on 'for dear life.' It is the landscape of who you are, if that makes sense... I get lost in La-La Land every now and then, and tend to ramble LOL! *smile* I enjoyed reading this, Thomas. It had a good flow, great figurative language (clean, simple, and succinct), and I beleive it to be a rare glimpse inside the poet himself. Subtle rhyme scheme works very nicely. The short lines seemed to add to the power of this peice, as well. It gave it the perfect pace. Bravo, Thomas. Well done! I look forward to more of your work :) Always, Mary

This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2006-03-17 19:21:20
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.83333
Thomas, This sounds like a man trying to be who he is. you are not what everyone wants or demands you to be. If you are forced to be as such, your living a lie and might as well die. It benefits all when you are happily in balance with the world. This is like a midlife crisis. Who am I, where am I going, and why? Without a reason you will die.... This takes me back to then also...... A good reminder of whats important. Subtle rhyming was nice. Innocent you appear and on your path of growing... Love this Thomas. Dellena

This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2006-03-10 16:36:25
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Thomas, How so very true, "To thine ownself be true", yes, VietNam seems like another world away, many still carry the scars of that era, sholdiers and civilians alike. It seems there is always someone wanting to stifle the voice within all of us especially if they don't understand the thoughts of another it seems they'd rather silence the thoughts. I applaud you for being you. Very well spoken. Best always, Lora

This Poem was Critiqued By: Nancy Ann Hemsworth On Date: 2006-03-09 14:20:15
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Spoken very strongly in very simple terms, this poem has much feeling, truths and weight. Although presented in a seemingly nieve way, with it's uncomplicated rhyme and metor it has layers to it and much substance. Like all of us, the bottom line is to be able to be who we are and realish in it. If we are not true to ourselves, we never really live in the way that was intended for us. I like how you summed this poem and your thoughts up in the last stanza..."Can you tell what I'm after, its to really be free, if this can't happen, then I'll never be Me." and I like the capitalization of the word "Me" giving it the importance that is needs.

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