DEROS
(Camp Alpha 19 Nov 1966)

Nobody talked much
just sat and smoked or stood around
in BVDs waiting
for funky khakis with crooked patches
ribbons
stabbed above wrinkled pockets
and old brass

grumbling about being disarmed and riding
in a 'deuce an a half'
toward Ton San Nhut.
and standing around some more
watching as the dead in silent boxes are loaded

Going Home with us

and a long time staring at clouds
and hours and hours of blue sky
box lunches
and still smokin'.
listening to the 'Wolfhound' and all his dreams

Knowing as we land
silently,
and as the Stewardess says
"OK Guys! You are back in the USA!",
that the few cheers and faces at the windows
know
that everything has changed
forever.

We are home!

Where will we go now
that we have been everywhere?
Into ourselves?

We were boys
become as young wolves,
waiting
to be set free!
Wolves with something exciting
and frightening in their souls.

So much hidden there.

Young wolves with shy smiles
... and incredibly dangerous
eyes!

©Copyright January 2002 by Lou J. Klaiber

DEROS: date of estimated return from overseas service