It is November  in the capital.
I visit here every year on this day.
Wreaths of flowers  are abundant
everywhere I look the late fall 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
a lifetime ago.
I can still hear the explosion
the flash of the landmine.
He gave his life that I might live
A gift beyond any gratitude.

A shaft of fall sunlight falls
onto the gold filigree
of the names on the grey wall.
On my white shirt they reflect like on a screen.
I see his name on me
as though he is reaching to me I feel him with me
My lios move to say I love you man.

A cloud passes the sun
and his name melts from my shirt
On the wall it stays forever.