Comrads

A memorial day poem

Often times when I’m all alone
Thinking of that war so long ago
Tears will fall from my bleary eyes
As memories of friends take hold,

There are times I get lost in corridors
As I walk the hallways of life
Ever crawling my way through darkness
With never the end in sight.

These corridors dark and dreary,
Though a few are gay and bright.
And all are filled with the faces
Of buddies with whom I’d fight.

Faces most would never notice
Faces quickly forgotten when gone
Yet faces that deserve our praises
For each duty they had to perform.

Gentleman of distinction
And those of great renown
Will always be remember
In every city, state and town

You’ll find there names emblazoned
Within great halls of fame
Their exploits marked in history
And thus shall they remain.

Yet the ones remembered least of all
Are the ones who deserve our praise;
The ones who gave their life for us
In hopes some friends they’d save.

They never made the headlines
Nor their names engraved in history,
Yet each performed a special service
To their friends and all humanity.

I remember one, who on his hospital cot,
Laid laughing and joking, not caring a lot.
Or so it would seem to another’s eyes.
But I, who knew him, had seen him cry.

He wasn’t the type to show his feelings
Nor wear his heart on his sleeve.
He would rather pretend he was happy
Though deep inside he grieved.

And when darkness fell and the world was asleep
He’d lie there awake and a vigil keep
To God up above he’d send this prayer
“Dear God, protect my friends over there.”

"For they fight for our freedom through darkest night;
They fight though their scared, with all of their might.
Should they call out your name with some words of dismay
Don’t be offended Lord; it’s just one of those days”

"And when the battles over and night has turned to day
Take them home safely Lord; take them home to stay.”