Memorial Day Memories

Memorial Day and memories,

A time for somber reflection…

So it would seem. But my unruly

Mind wanders in its own direction.

When I look at my brother’s picture,

He in his graduation cap and gown,

Hanging all those years on the wall,

I’m not moved to a mournful frown.

It isn’t his death that comes to mind

When my eyes rest upon him there;

It’s the joy he brought in his short life,

The caring and the love he shared.

And Vietnam – it isn’t just visions

Of pain, and of death, and war;

It wasn’t always Bombs and Blood

During my stay in old III Corps.

We perched up on the sand bags,

Swapped lies and sang some songs,

And we built a few warm memories

That still are holding strong.

I remember Liar’s Dice one time,

And a wild trip into Tay Ninh

To the Green Door in the wee hours,

And the trouble we’d have been in

Had Top or the VC intercepted us

As we made our tipsy flight

Down dark roads on a crazy whim

In Top’s ‘borrowed’ jeep that night.

My mind touches on friends I made

During those happy years in Spain,

Though some have passed from this

Life, their memories bring no pain.

Yes, I’ve spent time in a place or two,

And I’ve met a lot of folks.

In truth, I didn’t like every one; it

Wasn’t all sunshine and jokes.

But it’s the camaraderie I recall, the

Card games, the harmony, the pranks.

I mostly remember the pleasant times,

With gratitude, and with thanks.

© Thurman P. Woodfork, 5/28/2007