It was springtime in the capital. I visit here every year on this day. Cherry blossoms are abundant everywhere I look warm spring sunshine. The wall is long and filled with the names of the fallen.
I look for the name of my boyhood friend Joseph Reilly It is always hard to find. So many names so much sadness.
We served together in Nam I hear the explosion the flash of the landmine. He gave his life that I might live a gift beyond any gratitude.
A shaft of sunlight falls onto the gold filigree of the names on the wall. On my white shirt they reflect like on a screen. I see his name on me as though he is reaching to me to say I love you man.
A cloud passes the sun and his name melts from my shirt On the wall it stays