HAVE YOU EVER...
Have you ever smiled through your tears;
Swallowed hard and gulped away your fears
Lost sense of time in quiet thought
Remembering buddies with whom you fought.
Have you ever looked at the uniform you wore
Medals, patches, memorabilia galore
Reminiscing of days way back when
Where your mind lets you visit time and again.
Have you ever been furious at some writer's pen
Welcoming parades, what should have been
New wars, new soldiers telling their woes
While the Viet Nam Veterans' suffering shows.
Have you ever been up half the night
Your mind doesn't settle a heart contrite
Connecting with the living, burying the dead
Over and over diatribes in your head.
Have you ever looked into a compassionate face
Heard "thank-you", felt the hand of grace
No one deserves it more my friends
For gratefulness to you shall never end.