Stuart Watkins
These eyes have seen thousands of rounds
going downrange seeking the center shot
seeking perfection
seeking awards
seeking the Olympics
representing the United States of America
These eyes have seen images of Vietnam
soldiers, civilians, Viet Cong
dead
watched life slip into never land
watched soldiers scramble into foxholes
when “Incoming,” was yelled
These eyes have seen paddy fields
with bodies floating among rice stalks
dead water buffalo pulling no more plows
woman weeping
holding a small body
burned to death by napalm
These eyes never saw a gold medal
being presented on a stand
these eyes have wept tears of sorrow
regretting the time spent in Nam
killing fellow humans
for God knows what or why