vietnam reflections 416

somewhere out there is a road
that took us to war so long ago
so many of our selves
walked down that worn path
and we watched them 'til
they were clean out of sight
and now that old road is gone
we spent many a day and night
on foot or being carried up and down
its length
many of us without the strength
to make the final steps
save for the help
of those who shouldered us
and then had to stay behind
we still look for the old byway
but it is long gone
covered over by flesh and blood and bones
some say this is for the best
but some of us still look
and search we always will
for some of us there is no peace
nor rest until we are done
and there never can be closure
until we bring them all home