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A Joyous Parade |
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It's been thirty days and one
Since we left the
desert sun
It caused this warrior to tear
The
words and acts of cheer
Rome left us at the end of
the runway
Hot and stuffy, pain we had ours to pay
Dublin left us on the plane at the gate
What awaits
us in the States
La Guardia, one hundred forty
weapons
I'll stay on board to keep an eye on
They
welcomed us home
From the distant land where we'd roam
Free pizza, drinks and a phone call
A smile crossed
my face shocking all
It's been thirty days and one
I'm able to stand but it's not fun
I get to watch the
parade
A celebration made
If they really want to
honor us
Why are we making the fuss?
Why don't we
sit on our ass
And watch them walk pass
Desert
uniform is sterile, unit patch and tapes
Civilians acting
like apes
I'm not some celebrity
Don't make a big
deal about me.
They lead the march the others
My
Vietnam brothers
Apes don't greet them with a cheer
non-responsive rather than a leer
I walk out to them
in pain
leaning heavily on my cane
Welcome home
big brother
I say to the other
We clench each
others hands
A cheer sounds from the stands
I
finish the walk with these men
Who lead the way for me
again
Three lead to cheer and stare
The Black
Flag, my cane and a chair
Tears filled battle
hardened eyes
They hear "Welcome Home" cries.
Trouble I got into
Because I marched with you
Couldn't march with my unit
With Vietnam Vets I could do
it.
I can't march in step
So I fit in the Disabled
Vets
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By Mark I. Kirkmeyer
Copyright 2002
Listed
June 24, 2012 |
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About
Author...
Mark Kirkmeyer served as a Light Weapons/Medical Specialist in the U.S. Army (1983-88), the U.S. Army Reserve (1988-1992), and the California National Guard (1992-1995). He is Gulf War Veteran (1991) and served in Korea (1986-87).It is illegal to
use this poem without the author's permission.
~~ Send your comments and/or use permission request to
Mark I. Kirkmeyer ~~ |
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