Richard Preston (USA) and Anthony Pahl (Australia)
with Ron Ralich

HANDS

From the hands of a friend
A friends name forms
As he rubs the granite stone
Diligent in his promise
Not to let a brother
Stand at the Wall alone

Veterans of war
Before a black sea of glass
Reflect back to the passing crowd
Choking back tears
Remembering living years
They fight not to cry out loud

Heads bowed slightly
In honor of a friend
Inscribed among the names
Two veterans of war
Two distant shores
Here they are one in the same

Thank God for the brother
That carries the flame
Deep within the soul
They who write it all down
For others to read
To fulfill a love that's owed

Charcoal and paper
Dust to dust
From the graphite a name appears
History resurrected
A promise kept
Made in the Viet Nam years

Two friends from afar
The third on the Wall
A long awaited reunion
Three souls meld together
Thoughts soaring towards heaven
Hands clasped in reverent communion

Thank God for the hands
Of a friend.........

©Copyright November 2004 by Richard D. Preston

Author’s Note: For Tony - I Have Not Forgotten