Big Black Wall
By Jim Stewart c 2018
I visited a big black Wall today.
There was one name I could not find.
Even though it seemed like he had died,
At least part of him was left behind.
He went from a pimple popping teenager
To a shell of an unknown man.
Trying to find out who he was or what he was.
The sounds of bombs bursting
Still pierce the night air.
Like the sounds of a well wound Cuckoo Clock.
Still ringing in his ears.
One day I hope to find that missing man
Before time has passed me by.
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This could have been me, it could have been you.
Some had the honor of being engraved on that big black wall.
They fought for our freedom and in the end, gave their all.
Others could have passed away of a broken heart after coming back.
Then there were so many returning with PSD and XYZ
and others felt like they were still under attack.
That place called Viet Nam is such a different place today.
It's a country filled with kind loving people,
who can only hope that peace is here to stay.
On the other hand, when I sought out the name of a college friend from my hometown, Paul Derby, using the database and not the wall, itself, where I have never been, I couldn't find him.
Fortunately, I did find a webpage that clearly indicated that he was shot down like John McCain as a Marine pilot over North Vietnam. Why his name is not on the wall, I don't know.
Ron