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Reasons I Can't Forget
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Reasons I Can't Forget |
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William P Bussey Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 188 |
ONE REASON I CAN'T FORGET As I walked along that trail, just one in a long line of men, It's odd how things like this comes back to you now and then. It was August, 1951, the weather was hot, and I was tired as hell, We were pushing north, chasing gooks, and doing right well. I saw him sitting there by the trail, one of many, just like me, He looked the same, but different in a way, he looked but, didn't seem to see. Now I hadn't seen him in almost a year, in boot camp he was a good friend, So I fell out and sat down to talk, I shook his hand it was good to see him again. As we talked, there was a distance between us, he didn't seem to care, There was a preoccupation about him, he had a far off look, a distant stare. I could only stay a little while, I said as much as I could, and said so long, As I hurried and caught up with my squad, I just had a feeling something was wrong. When we dug in that night, I thought about Jack and his strange demeanor, We had been such good friends, I guess I expected more. We were shelled hard that night, no one in my platoon was hit, Some one said next morning, that weapons company got the worst of it. I got a real bad feeling, it just seemed like it was going to be a bad day, I asked around about casualties, no one had any thing to say. We were moving once again, and I had other things to do, You do your job, try and stay alive, your not stupid , you know it can be you. Some time in October, we had a memorial service for those who had been killed, I still have that list, it's in a glass frame, it gives the names of the hearts that were stilled,. My friend Jack is on that list, only 19 years old, I still see him and his troubled face, I have often wondered, and still do today, if maybe Jack knew that day, that he had run his race. So when I think of compassion, for enemys of long ago, This is only one of the reasons my heart says no. I can't forgive them, I have no regrets for the ones to who I brought death, For those of you who do not know, there are FIFTY FOUR THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE OTHERS OF US, WHO NO LONGER DRAW A BREATH. |
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| © Copyright 2000 William P Bussey - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Powerful, moving poem, Bill. Denise |
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Beverly Member
since 2000-02-19
Posts 123New Mexico |
William... This is a great reminder to all of us that we should honor and thank our veterans. Your concern for others and your conviction in you beliefs show well in your poem. Well done. |
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Lost Dreamer Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464Somewhere near the Rainbow |
William, My heart goes out to you as it cries for all men and women who go out and serve their country and come back wounded beyond repair. Great job writing this poem and I'd almost bet tears were flowing from your eyes as you did. |
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childomine Senior Member
since 2000-01-25
Posts 818st. petersburg, FL |
Bill this is powerful and haunting. As usual, you did a fine job of getting us to "see". ...Give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is.... Black Eagle Oglala Sioux holy man |
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StarrGazer Senior Member
since 2000-03-05
Posts 679Texas |
Another poem well done  I copy your poems and give them to my father to read, he was in Vietnam and I know that even though he doesn't talk about it, that he carries memories such as yours. He in fact has never once to my recollection ever talked about his military service at all. So I suppose I'm playing parent now and by way of your poems telling him that it is okay to talk about. Thanks and good work !!!Mystical being which makes ink flow Surround me in your incandescent glow Fill my brain with thoughts and rhyme As I try to capture but a moment in time ~Shan~ |
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ESP Member Elite
since 2000-01-25
Posts 2556Floating gently on a cloud.... |
This is one powerful poem!! I am quite in awe of you and all of your comrades. Love and hugs, Lizzie  |
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John the cat Member
since 2000-03-23
Posts 357England |
Deeply moving again William. May your roof never fall in and those beneath it never fall out. Irish proverb. |
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William P Bussey Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 188 |
As usual you are very gracious with your comments, Jack was killed the night after I saw him, I just couldn't get it right to put in the poem, One other thing about Jack, he was an athiest, I have often told my self, now he knows. Thank you all again, I am going to take a trip, and will be off the Pub for awhile, thank you again for your kindness. Bill |
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Broken_Winged_Angel Senior Member
since 2000-04-06
Posts 994Small Town, Somewhere |
*blinks* Wow..very powerful..  With a little piece of tomorrow, You'll have to kiss yesterday goodbye. Because today won't last forever, And the past will only make you cry. |
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