Witness the Wall

I talked with friends who had lost someone there

A loved one who perished in a distant land

Taken down, life ends ; a cold, blank stare

On shoreline, in forest, in barren sand

Young life, cut short, so much promise denied

A purpose unclear, though fervent and true

For an ideal, a belief, and hope, as you sighed,

For a perfect world, if it were up to you

In unfamiliar country, with foreign rule

Advancing in tall grass or searing sun

In an arena which hosts the worst of cruel

Where life is determined by the knife and the gun

Beside you, a new friend, a partner, a brother

Complete trust in each other; no doubt

His life in your hands, at the moment; no other

Your life in his hands; helping each other out.

"What was it that brought us here?

What is the reason we answered the call?

Once, long ago, it was so clear

Now, I'm not sure..not sure at all."

Days, weeks, months and years passed

As we stumbled through fight and fire

We thought, for sure, we'd make it...we'd last

We did not know how absolutely dire

Was the fate that waited, at the tunnel's end?

We did our best, we gave our all

But, sadly now, my brother, my friend..

I stand before your name..

Etched here, on "The Wall."