Randy E. Richmond

NO ESCAPE?

Braced against the tempest, the raging orange storm
Another of our number, of too familiar form
Has turned to face the onslaught that stings the eyes to tears
That strips the skin right off the soul, taking sometimes forty years
He’s been counted as a ‘lucky’ one and I guess that’s probably right
To have survived when others died, he could fight the longer fight
So may we walk with you awhile my brother and count cadence along the way?
For those who lay behind us and, well… that’s about all there’s left to say
Except to promise you my friend, should you shout the final call
That we’ll remain in tight formation until we too shall fall
Your name will be carried in our hearts and spoken with our tongues
We’ll tell of poisoned, broken bodies and of orange rusted lungs

©Copyright March 2, 2009 by Randy E. Richmond

Author’s Note: Dedicated to a brother, Gary (rustylungs) Schwartz… hope you can still read this in thirty years Gary!

Sadly, Gary passed over the “Bridge of Heroes” on his birthday, February 27, 2010. “A sharp salute from your brothers who are still fighting the fight!”