The Pulitzer Prize
It's okay, son, for having not
won
A Pulitzer Prize for me.
It took your true life story
To write the poetic book
"Dear Daddy."
My soul is still alive on the
Viet Veteran Wall
See, you can touch me;
You can caress the depth of my
healing scars.
For Peace I fought in the
jungles of Vietnam
The same Peace we all died for
in many wars.
Glad Nick Ut received the
Pulitzer honor for his photo,
Your poems are blessed in many
ways.
You won not the Columbia
University’s certificate
But, many hearts you have
touched across the land.
You won not the prestigious
prize
Son, you have and always will
win my heart.
I am the unknown American
Soldier,
I am your Dear Daddy…
Linh Duy Vo
(The Boy in the Poem)
April 8, 1997 ©