A TIME OF TIMES

Time may dull the windows
of eyes that once were young
there was a time, of times, years ago
where these windows reflected sun

Bright, and searching portals
seeking the innocence of his world
fascinated by all he saw, he learned,
as before him life unfurled

The world before him opened wide
There was much for him to see
a defender of his country
He was sent to fight across the sea

Through these eyes he saw his war
Just a lad of nineteen years
there he had lost the clarity of youth
Behind a veil of tears

The eyes of wonder turned to eyes of rage
as he fought amongst the hell
that soon shattered the windows of his soul
The day his Brothers fell

During this time of times
The eyes of youth had turned to stone
Hardened by red blood and clay
by his Nation he was disowned

In the white heat of his battle,
among the deafening roar of war
through eyes that saw the round that hit
he lay dying at deaths door

Held tight in the arms of a brother
in silence they both cried
A time of times upon the earth
ended with vacant eyes

Time may dull the windows
Of eyes that once were young
there was a time, of times, years ago
where these windows reflected the sun

Richard D. Preston
January 18^th, 2001