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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

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