Whysman

A life won't do you favors
There's no map for roads to take

Experience is our only guide
The future ours to make

No one will say it's easy
We can't cram for tests ahead

We've all got miles to travel
But no street signs to be read

Our successes and our failures
Ingrained within our hearts

As we crawl along life's highway
Right from the very start

No sense in blaming others
For our troubles and our woes

It's the paths that we have chosen
That's the 'me' which we now show

Some foreign country,
Some funny name.
After awhile,
They all look the same.

Grandpa went first,
Back then World War I.
And didn't come home,
'Til the job was all done.

My Dad was then ripe,
When it came time for II.
Returning as hero's,
Only missing quite a few.

A Brother was the next in line,
To risk his life and limbs,
But, Korea kind of fizzled out,
Especially for him.

Then came strife in Vietnam,
And I was 18 'when' . . .
They poked 'n had me turn 'n cough,
Then sent me off to win.

I thought when in the combat zones,
If 'ever' I go down . . .
My folks will know that I was here,
Not hiding out of town.

We all fought for freedom,
Representing our hometowns.
To be damn sure our kids had homes,
Still setting on free grounds.

The countless before,
And many since.
Whose young life's were cut short,
I am 'sure' would say this . . .

'This was my last,
I've given my all.
But if you don't mind,
Let me make 'one' last call?

When you get 'round to my marker,
And you're wondering that day.
What words to scribe upon it,
Just 'What' is left to say?

Please keep it nice 'n simple,
And I be 'forever proud' . . . .'

PLEASE LORD
PLEASE HEAR ME
NO MORE WARS
   ALLOWED