If you are able
Save for them a
place inside of you
And save one
backward glance
When you are
leaving
For the places
they can
Be not ashamed
to say
You loved them,
Though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they
have left
And taught you
With their
dying;
And keep it
with your own.
And in time
when you decide
And feel safe
to call the war insane,
Take one moment
to embrace
Those gentle
heroes
You left
behind...
Major Michael
O'Donnell
1 January 1970
