| A Lifetime In A Year |  |
| It's off to Polk for war to train
Attitudes and faces change
This holiday might be the last
Hugs and tears goodbye.
The plane has landed in Kuwait
Bolt on scavenged "armor-plate"
Drive to Taji �cross miles of sand
Join First Cav at Cooke.
Ride around, familiarize
Listen up while they advise
A few more days and they'll be gone
You're the "new sheriff" in town.
Sometimes showers, sometimes not
The closest latrine is a 50-yard trot
Mortars fall from evening skies
Roll over, go back to sleep.
An I.E.D. throws rocks your way
While ridin' down the road one day
90-mile-an-hour prayer with Kevlar on
Nothing left to chance.
Letters from the folks back home
E-mail and sometimes a phone
Thoughts and prayers from miles away
In boxes full of love.
Hajji dogs are everywhere
Five-pound rats crawl here and there
Camel spiders on the run
The wind blows trash and sand.
They walk along a narrow street
From open doorways strangers peek
Watching every move they make
Troopers of "Bowie Brigade".
In camouflage of desert tan
A 203 in sweaty hands
Fear and courage all mixed up
With candy for the kids.
Foot-patrols through neighborhoods
To show our presence, do some good
Kick some doors where bad guys live
Ride the truck back home.
The locals smile and shake your hand
Say "Thank you, Am-ed-ica, no Sa-ddam!"
Purple thumbs are held up high
Election Day has come.
At the setting of the sun
One more day of duty done
The "Freedom Bird" is here at last
Finally goin' home!
Welcome Home signs everywhere
Show how much the whole town cares
Our pride for you is wide and deep
We're glad to see you back. | By Ken B. Harper
Copyright 2005
Listed 6/23/2005 |
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