Bodies of Clay

The battle raged on Mutter Ridge
Fought mostly by American kids
The Vietcong dug deep in the ground
Could not be touched by mortar rounds

Bullets flew and rain poured down
Days and nights were filled with hellish sounds
Advance, advance the top brass cried
One by one our young boys died

This was nothing like we've ever seen
Jagged ledges covered with with slick moss green
A bloody mix of fire and rain
Washed a crimson flow to the lower plains

Seven days spilling blood and guts
slithering like snakes in slime filled ruts
It took more than bullets to subdue this land
We fitted bayonets and fought hand to hand

We topped the ridge under tin skies of gray
Many a warrior met their God that day
When the battle was over and the dyin' was done
Mothers on both sides lost their loving sons

Mist rose from the ground, the air had cleared
The sky washed the dead with heavens tears
To the victors go the spoils so some say
But there were no rich's to be found....
...Just precious bodies of clay

Boon
9/27/03