THE WALL
The Wall is a jagged scar running along the face of the earth, beneath which lies an unhealed wound. The pain from that wound boils beneath the surface until a loved one stands before The Wall and reads a name. Then the pain erupts in a flood of tears. As each person walks away, the pain retreats and lies in wait for its next victim.
The names inscribed thereon bring life to this wall of death. As long as one person remains who remembers one face, one name, the wound will never heal... the pain will never end... The Wall will never die.
If it's true that a man's most valuable possession is the name that he carries, then this wall of death and pain must also be a diamond gleaming in the sun, glowing with the richness of memories waiting to flood back over us with the tears.
Hopefully, the memories will outlast the tears......
©Copyright 1997 by Ralph Michael Markowicz
Author’s Note: I've wanted to go to see our Memorial (The WALL) in DC but can't get myself together enough. My best friend and high school buddy is there: Panel 23 west, line 32 - Scott W Thornburg. He was 18½ years old. What a waste. I'm sending you a photo of my tattoo that has his date of death on it (31 May, 1969) Maybe someday... (RMM - May 8, 2004)