Copyright© Mike Terpstra

 Old men talk of their war
Pride and prestige in their tone. 
A tone ignorant of the pains I feel.
Ignorance, narrowness, and blinders
Covering the eyes of men when speaking of war.

 Viet Nam, Viet Nam, Viet Cong.
Still send shivers up my spine 
A tone ignorant of the pains I feel.
Only Wanting to doctor the blighted and poor
Covering the wounds and hurts, the spoils of war.

 Anger, misunderstanding and spittle
Still stain my face drawn long,
A tone ignorant of the pains I feel.
Only to make me an Iron-faced man
Covering the shame of our country.

 Napalming, explosions and clanging 
Are the sounds muffled by blood
A tone ignorant of the pains I feel.
Wanting, demanding, and getting
An iron man too proud to weep.

 Boiling, steaming, and hissing
Are the great black Cobras
A tone ignorant of the pain I feel.
Falling at last to a meltdown 
An iron man soon to rest.

 Old men talk of their war,
Cautious, reluctant and tested.
A tone so true to the pains I feel.
Forgetfulness and misunderstanding
Covering the eyes of men when speaking of war.
Old men talk of their war.