A Belated Welcome Home

Written in 1981 after attending a Viet Nam veterans welcome home parade. They march in step without a cadence call and wear old uniforms, if they still fit, recalling days when they were standing tall. Five services, they represent them all; a few in rolling chairs, required to sit. They march in step without a cadence call. On their parade a somber rain did fall, but these were warriors not inclined to quit; while some men heard the drummer not at all. The flagless streets and silence they recall; now greeted with a smile instead of spit. They march in step without a cadence call. On skeptic ears polite applause did fall, for causes lost, but not their part in it; while some men heard the drummer not at all. The tears for those who died will ever fall belatedly, a candle now was lit. While some men hear the drummer not at all, they march in step without a cadence call.