The Wall

A fresh outlook

The Wall

The names appeared before me
Out of the gray Washington mist
Each one of them a person once
Added to the Grim Reaper's list

I wondered why they all had died
So far away from their homes
Some arrived in one place, perhaps
Others returned only as bones

It's sad to see people here
They find a name, then cry
And wonder often, for all to hear
Why was it they didn't die
They say our best died in Vietnam
I'm not sure who to blame
But I've seen some here at this wall
Veterans, searching for a name

The wall, the names, and the visitors
All faded in the dreary gray
As I turned and wiped away a tear
And saluted the wall that day