Ode to a soldier.

Proud rows of men and women,
Gather from noble countries wide.
Of all treasured souls lost and found,
But one is kindred to mine.

An aged soldier exists before me,
Tormented shadows in his eyes.
Haunted by blood, sweat and tears,
A society of lies.

Ghosts march your cerebral echelon,
Find solace in your mental prison.
Add the courage of liquid fire,
And all those ghosts have risen.

As time parades and history fades,
I swear thee solemnly this.
Your sacrifices are not forgotten,
Lost in the jungle mist.

For though the memoirs of battle,
Do suffer a cold mans defamation.
I honor your fight, tell of your plight,
And teach my children of our veteran.

For my father. Who served two tours in Vietnam, and came home a different man.