CONVERSATION WHILE WALKING WITH AN UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Yesterday I walked through these city streets
And while I walked I happened to meet
A young man whom I’ll call Joe
Where he came from I’ll never know
Dressed in fatigues, I supposed him to be on leave
A tattoo that said Da Nang was partly hidden by his sleeve
I knew he’d been there, though he never would say
What had happened on that particular day
He was often quiet as we saw the monuments and shrines
He was back in the jungle, surrounded by trees and vines
The memories of the past returned to haunt
His face showed the pain, his eyes sad and gaunt
We continued to walk, our journey wasn’t over
We paused by a school, watching the children play Red Rover
I asked if he had any children of his own
He said, “No. That pleasure I’ve never known.”
One place we wanted to go, before the day was done
To see the names on the Wall that reflects the sun
We could sense the power and the hallowedness as we drew near
I stared in awe, while Joe shook but not from fear
These names were nothing more to me than words in stone
But to Joe, they were the buddies he had known
Silently he walked up to the Wall, his tears threatening to spill
When he touched one name, he whispered, “Hi, Bill.
I never got the chance to say thank you for saving my life
As you lay dying in my arms you asked me to tell your wife
How you loved her, how you’d wait until her turn
How with longing for her, your heart would burn
Your life for mine, a gift beyond price
You died for me, as we hid in the paddy of rice
Now here I am today, to give the honor that is due
To the real hero, my hero, who is you.”
This place was sacred, it truly touched my heart
This black stone wall was so much more than art
It was getting late, the sun was sinking low
It was time to finish the journey, so we turned to go
With tears in our eyes, we passed so many names by
So many had died, I couldn’t help but cry
Joe turned to me saying, “So many took the fall
But if not for them, we might not be here at all
Honor those who fought, both the living and the dead
Be proud of those who fought and bled
Sadly, not all who came back were ever the same
They learned war is truly hell on earth, not just a game.”
I understood what it was he was trying to say
To be thankful for my freedom each and every day
In quiet reflection, my thoughts never still
I gazed around confused when he stopped by the hill
“Why are we stopping, do you live near?”
Joe said, “No, child.  My home is here.”
Over the grass, by the steps he left me standing
He continued upward but paused at the landing
“It’s time we part, my journey is now done
But you still have the race to run
Remember the lesson you learned today
Hear these last words that I now say
If you value your freedom as I know you do
Give credit to those who gave it to you.”
He turned away, in a moment he was gone
I ran up the stairs in case I was wrong
But there before me, chiseled in stone
It was clearly written - The Tomb of the Unknown.

Copyright ©2005  Leah Hall Slootweg