Tears Of Ink

While the Six was here and we were unloading his meager possessions, I ask him if I could post some poetry that was written by a friend. This poetry deals mostly with a warriors feelings after being in a war zone (PTSD). My friend's name is LCDR Roberto J. Prinselaar, U. S Coast Guard (Ret). Bob served his country, in the Navy and Coast Guard for 31 years. During those years he was in Korea, China, and Southeast Asia (VN). He entered the service as a Seaman Recruit and after becoming a Chief Petty Officer, he received a Presidential commission to Ltjg, and retired as a Lieutenant Commander. I do have permission from LCDR Roberto J. Prinselaar to submit some of his writings on this blog spot. The poems are from the book titled, TEARS OF INK.

The first poem I'll submit is titled---

I'm O.K.

I'll admit I'm slightly troubled
And there are times I'm downright sad
When I think back on things that happened
And some of those were really bad
But I'm O.K., I tell you truly
I'm alive, and that's a lot
I'm better off than some old buddies
Yeah I'm alive, and they are not
There are times I dream about them
But mostly now, I only sleep
I'm telling you I'm doing fine now
Why should I think of things so deep
I never cry, cause that's not manly
It's not the way that I was taught
And what the hell, it's all behind me
I've put aside just why we fought
I can't remember all the reasons
There had to be some, I suppose
I do remember, for God and country
But it was more than only those
I lost some friends, for lofty reasons
And now they are forever gone
But I'm O.K., yeah I'm still living
But sometimes God, I'm so alone

By LCDR Roberto J. Prinselaar

Submitted by Sarge