Lou J. Klaiber

BLOOD, DEATH… AND MEMORY

Ben Suc
Ben Cat… 1966

faces probing my restless dreams
faces staring
into my eyes

“Don’t leave me here… Sarge
Don’t leave me here!”

and I left them.

Years later they return
drifting
within the darkness beyond midnight

telling me
that when the war ends
… (and many years later)
some will call it the ‘Iron Triangle’
and… “We were there Sarge”!

I get into my truck each day
I go to work
I give my money to my wife

I give my soul
to my soldiers… gone!

I left them there.

Author’s Note: For Tony Pahl and Richard “Boon” Preston