Memorial Day

 

  Here I sit, an old man,
      Thinking of days and wars gone by

 

  The politicians argue,
   Which is a just war?

 

 I have fought my war,
 One of rice paddies and body count

 

 A war scorned by many, but my forever young
  And gallant friends lay dead just the same

 

  My philosophy of life and war
  Has come to this

 

   I will allow myself to cry, when thinking
   Of my dead child, parent, friend or enemy

 

     I have come to believe that crying
      Is a human and manly thing to do.

 

  After all, how many children, parents, friends
      Or enemies do we have in a lifetime?

 

     I believe that we should laugh out loud
       When something strikes us funny.

 

      I break into laughter, simultaneously with profuse tears
      When reliving good days spent with love ones, now dead

 

      I believe we each should view in grateful wonder
    The birth of our children

 

    I believe that we should always be in awe
     Of a beautiful sunset and a glorious sunrise

  When awakened in the middle of the night, I marvel at my
     Incredible luck to love and be loved by my beautiful sleeping woman

 

If we live our life to our fullest, with enthusiasm, with love
And are extremely lucky, we will have much to laugh and cry about.

 

Richard D. Acott
Acotts@aol.com