Life Lesson Too

There! Little boy, don't cry! They have broken your toys, I know. Your fire truck red Undereneath the bed Was new not so long ago; But childhood days will soon rush by. There! Little boy, don' cry! There! Young man, don't cry! She has broken your heart, I know; When she said good-bye With no reason why Only that she had to go; Affairs of the heart will soon pass by. There! Young man, don't cry! There! Tired soldier, don't cry! They have broken your spirit, I know. With gun and bomb In Viet Nam Youth seems so long ago; It's not for the government or it's lie. It's for each other we die! AUTHOR'S NOTE: (A 1960's young man's reply to "Life Lesson" by James Whitcomb Riley.)