DIVISIVE DECISION, 2004

Look at us my brothers… and see what we’re becoming
armies facing one another… battle calls are drumming
no quarter ever offered… prepare for your defeat
trampling fact and fiction… beneath our angry feet

I’m sad for us my brothers… that we had come so far
to reach back for the beginning… beneath the Mekong star
scabs are torn from healing wounds… blood drips on hallowed ground
among the screaming voices… long quiet sobbing sounds

Will we still be brothers… or will you me disown?
When one of these, our captains… wins the country’s golden throne
will you in righteous victory… send taunting hurtful jeers
to those whose eyes will be filled with hate… and poison, bitter tears?

Remember the times my brothers… when with a beer and gentle persuasion
we could discuss and disagree… and leave respect in the equation?
I love the warmth of summer… shiver at the thought of winter snows
but I’ll be happy come November… when the dreaded polls will close.

God bless us all… brothers AND sisters!

©Copyright September 2, 2004 by Randy E. Richmond

Author’s Note: I’m not picking on anyone on either side here… just my thoughts and feelings of the entire Presidential Election process this year (especially within the Vietnam Veteran community). The background photograph is ©Copyright 2001 by Linda Vible, and is of her husband, Vietnam Veteran Jim Vible praying at The Wall in 2001 for fellow Vietnam Veteran, Vic Romero (whom he didn’t know) at the request of a friend.