The Known Soldier

Last night awakened with thoughts of him How long has it has been, only Yesterday … First one I ever saw laid out I sixteen, he nineteen, Viet Nam Airborne … Purple complexion seeping through under glass I gaze on doll-like hair Broomcorn … His uniform perfect, tie straight Blouse olive, at attention Airborne … No one else at the funeral home Me and a girl friend too early for death Careworn … Dead before he hit the ground Cut down by ground-fire first jump no longer airborne ... So many years now, forty-two, awakened with thoughts of him, Wind-borne … Still see his body rigid attention rumor wire for arm, died before his time Soilborne … Didn’t know him well, would he still be here if not Airborne … Would we have smoked and talked about women if he would be reborn … And what of Thua Thien, what now monument, blood of airborne boys? Golf course …