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Last Words |
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There he was lying in bed, a once giant of a man
Fading like the roses someone had left on his stand
The
old veteran's sharp eyes were slowly dimming
Not much
longer for him to be judged among the living
The old
soldier's clock was slowly winding down
He glanced up
just then, seeing my concerned frown
This decorated
veteran of Korea and Vietnam's fray
Tonight he knew he
was going to have his last say
"Listen here," he
said, "death just don't scare me
Was with the First when
we drove the enemy from Seoul
The battles they were hot
and the weather it was cold
I been up Old Baldy and I
fought on Pork Chop Hill, see
I been to the Khe San, and
the white sands of Quang Tri
Where I'm going ain't half
as scary as where I've been
Not like running and duckin'
bullets at Long Binh
Yes, and I've been to the terrible
walled city of Hue
Let me tell you, there, we almost got
blown away
I can honestly say to you we were really put
to the test
If the truth be known, I would really welcome
some rest
Listen, Friend, I don't want, nor do I need any
of your tears
For I haven't slept a night of peace in
nearly forty years"
Then, with that so said, the old
soldier closed his eyes in final sleep
And, for all of
his years of torment, I hung my head and I did weep. |
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By Faye Sizemore
Copyright 2002
Listed October 5, 2011 |
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About
Author...
Faye Sizemore makes her home in the beautiful foothills of South Carolina with Grant, the love of her life, as well as three dogs, two cats, two parakeets and four nanny goats. Grant is a Vietnam Veteran having served with the US Marines in 1968-69 and is, of course, Faye's muse. Faye is deeply interested in Veterans' Affairs and Veterans' Causes. She is very proud of Grant and her poetry is an off-shoot of that pride.
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Faye Sizemore's site for more information
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