Randy E. Richmond

A QUIET CHOICE

look at us… seem familiar?

armchair debate of rights and wrongs
students with signs in the streets
discussions… disagreement
… sharp… razor sharp
echoing the past
severing the cable that holds us together
dividing…
… again… ever again

young soldiers…
poised at the very brink… hearing… seeing…
distractions… angry shouts of dissent

old soldiers…
who know that distraction can mean…
… death!

decisions… many decisions to come
but only one that I can make
… and I have

I will be silently hopeful
… supportive

I will not be…

… a distraction…