Marines lament
Your eyes have not seen what my eyes
have seen!
But perhaps in a nightmare deep in your dreams
the sights, the sounds of a raging war
brings the reality of death to your front door
Your heart has not felt as my heart has
felt!
When beside a dying Marine I have knelt
with his hopes fading as life slips away,
never to see the light of the coming day.
You have not known fear as I have known
fear!
When the Shadow of Death gathered so near
as the magnificent enemy came in human waves;
hell bent on destruction with their souls ablaze.
You have not crawled as I have crawled!
Over blood soaked soil where life has dissolved;
where boys turn to men and men gave their all.
For Freedom and Brotherhood they answered the call.
You have not felt rage as I have felt
rage!
As the Vietnam Protester took center stage
and stole glory from the fallen who died for their rights;
who unselfishly without question gave their Country their lives
Richard D. Preston
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