Sitting In the Dark

 

As I sit in the dark fighting back the tears;

Remembering the past, remembering the fears.

I miss my buddies, friendships dear;

It’s been so long, so many years.

 

We looked for the enemy wherever they might be;

We saw the side of war that most never see.

We were the infantry; we trained to be the best;

We had pride in our unit, we stood above the rest.

 

I remember my friend falling, I still hear his screams.

I still see it after all these years, see it in my dreams.

I held him close; medivac was on the way;

I could see death in his eyes; I didn’t know what to say.

 

The world turned silent as I gently closed his eyes;

I wondered if when a soldier passes, do the Angels cry?

As if he were a child, I carried him to the bird;

The medics took him from me, no one said a word.

 

The mission wasn’t over; the enemy was close by.

There was no time to mourn, no time to cry.

Remembering the past, remembering the tears;

Sitting in the darkness, fighting back the tears.

 

Michael D. Monfrooe

November 17, 2004

 

 

Dedicated to Leo, who helped me cope.  I saw it in his eyes.