Zack
Oil on Glass: ©Copyright 2002 by Lou J. Klaiber
ZACK
half Indian
half Irish
Guadalcanal Marine at just nineteen.
Squad leader Korea!
1st Marines
One of the 'Chosin Few'!
said to me "Came to this Army for rank.
and Sgt, I'll chew them stripes right off
your sleeve... they get too heavy
for you!"
Then.
Zack wavin' his index finger at the Platoon!
.snappin' it against the sky!
"THIS how strong ya gotta be ta KILL somebody!
It's all Murder an' blood an' KILLIN' here.
I don't want you to LIKE me (you know the rest)
.but I'll nevvvvvverr... evvvvvverrrr!
lie to you... and
1st SGT is my ........................ name!
Carry On!"
Epilogue -
I've heard he sleeps in Corinth, Mississippi.
May be.
but surely he still lives
in me.