Where did Jerry Go?
© 2008
Dan Johnson

Where did Jerry go?
He said he would be right back,
but, isn’t that what they all say?
I haven’t seen him since 1962,

Jerry’s Mom called my Mom
they were sisters-in-law.
She told my Mom that Jerry had
enlisted in the Army and qualified,
after all their extensive training,
that Jerry was going to be a Green Beret.

We all saw the picture of Jerry standing
in full dress uniform, saluting, smiling and
wearing that prestigious Green Beret.

Only the best would earn such recognition,
So off they went to rice fields, and burning fields,
and thousands of young soldiers were the body bag yield.

Jerry’s Mom called my Mom and said
That Jerry came home “Thank God” except
for the metal shrapnel in his head.

25 years later:
Jerry’s Mom called my Mom,
They were sisters-in-law,
To talk about the things that Jerry could do.
“He can now tie his shoes,
dress himself, and oh yes,
multiply by his 2’s,
what else can I say, other than?
Jerry was once a Green Beret, just look at him now.”

Where did Jerry go?
He said he’d be right back,
But, isn’t that what they all say?
I have not seen him since 1962,

Dan Johnson
© 2008