HIS AGE IN YEARS WAS 19 THEN
(For Mark E Allen: Panel W-2, Line 101)

His age in years was 19 then
And I was 21
And we shared a bond called friendship
'neath the rain and searing sun.

High atop the hill we lived
In billets green and brown
Safe within a netted womb
Yet fearing every sound.

I know that I'm immortal, Mark,
To live within this Hell.
But deep within a shrapneled soul
I feared the shot and shell.

He went north while I stayed there
No word was ever said.
Two months passed before I learned
That Mark, my friend, was dead.

And though the years have passed me by
Our friendship never weans.
My age in years is 54
But Mark is still 19.

This tribute poem also appears on the MCMARS website