Memorial Day

    Memorial Day

  Here I sit, an old man,
      Thinking of days and wars gone by

  The politicians argue,
  Which is a just war?

I have fought my war,
One of rice paddies and body count

A war scorned by many, but my forever young
  And gallant friends lay dead just the same

  My philosophy of life and war
  Has come to this

  I will allow myself to cry, when thinking
  Of my dead child, parent, friend or enemy

    I have come to believe that crying
      Is a human and manly thing to do.

  After all, how many children, parents, friends
      Or enemies do we have in a lifetime?

    I believe that we should laugh out loud
      When something strikes us funny.

      I break into laughter, simultaneously with profuse tears
      When reliving good days spent with love ones, now dead

      I believe we each should view in grateful wonder
    The birth of our children

    I believe that we should always be in awe
    Of a beautiful sunset and a glorious sunrise

  When awakened in the middle of the night, I marvel at my
    Incredible luck to love and be loved by my beautiful sleeping woman

If we live our life to our fullest, with enthusiasm , with love
And are extremely lucky, we will have much to laugh and cry about.