MARINE'S 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