Where did you get those empty eyes ...
why cant you let your pain show.
Where is that man who use to light up our world ...
can anyone tell me where did he go.

When you came back ... you said...
"nothing looks the same".
Its so hard to see the light --
looking thru so much shame.

That bright eyed kid with a guitar ... left,
and returned a shell of a man ...  lost.
Why couldn't we stop it,
why couldn't anyone see the cost.

Three best friends left together ...
only one came back.
He never could find his way ...
even now, he's not back on track.

I'll never forget the look on your face ...
the day you saw the wall.
I'll never forget your release ...
for each name -- a tear did fall.

And for just a moment there,
you let your self feel.
For just a moment ...
you uncovered the scars that wont ever heal.

You still live it everyday,
I know the memories never fade.
They told us "your lucky he came home" ...
well, part of you did ... but your soul and spirit stayed.

There you sit ... with those empty eyes ...
wrapped in silence ... that blank stare.
No one was able to reach you ...
you sit beside me ... but your still over there.

Janet Marie 4/28/00


For my uncle Bob,
Corporal, US Marines, purple heart recipient