Sometimes At Dawn
Back in the day
When we would meet
Down by the quay
We'd be discreet
And wrap our arms
Around each scent;
Exotic charms
Of Orient
But both of us
Would not set free
Our musty-lust
Adultery
My duty when
In fair Saigon
Was with the men
Of rising-dawn
Korea sent
Their own marines
Sadistic bent
Like death machines
Those early days
Our fires burned young
Entwined in praise
With love songs sung
But soon the air
Became too thick
As if despair
Was airborne sick
The numbers grew
As soldiers came
Like ants who knew
Death changed the game
The rumors spread
When Saigon spies
And numbered dead
Began to rise
And you and I
Were losing heat
Which made each lie
One more defeat
A magic place
In sixty-five
Diverse of face
And so alive
Was under now
Deceitful spells
That spoke of how
Man creates hells
Hotel lady
Sells her favor
Going crazy
Wartime labor
No fancy room
To ply her trades
Just street whore gloom
As beauty-fades.
The CIA
In country first
Before their play
Made bodies burst.
It was not long
And this I swear
The truth was gone
From everywhere
And soon our sin
From choices made
Was lost to din
Of war's grenade
But I will swear
The truth today
And I was there
Part of the play
For two long years
We met each day
To laugh through tears
At our decay
There is no way
To cleanse a soul
Just sad delay
To meet truth whole
Sometimes at dawn
In dreams I'm cast
I taste Saigon
And you at last
Copyright © Tom Mcmurray | Year Posted 2011
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