The Wall

The Wall
 

It was springtime in the capital.

I visit here every year on this day.

Cherry blossoms are abundant

everywhere I look warm spring sunshine.

The wall is long and filled

with the names of the fallen.

I look for the name

of my boyhood friend Joseph Reilly

It is always hard to find.

So many names so much sadness.

We served together in Nam

I hear the explosion

the flash of the landmine.

He gave his life that I might live

a gift beyond any gratitude.

A shaft of sunlight falls

onto the gold filigree

of the names on the wall.

On my white shirt they reflect

like on a screen.

I see his name on me

as though he is reaching to me

to say I love you man.

A cloud passes the sun

and his name melts from my shirt

On the wall it stays