Just for a moment
forty-two years ago
I was 21 and in my hand
I had a machine gun
shooting whatever stood
in my way
so I could live to see
another day.

Just for a moment  
I was still young and home
from a very unpopular war
but  with a bright future in College
and able to do just
about anything that
I wanted to do


Just for a moment
I was happily married
with a three year old daughter,
a beautiful wife and I was
living the good life.

Just for a moment
I didn't know what happened
or where I was
and in severe pain
unable to walk
and just barely able to talk
with nothing to gain
and knew I would
never be the
same.

Just for a moment
I was whole again healthy
and happy to be alive
but all alone and suddenly
my daughter was grown
with kids of her own.

Just for a moment
I thought that
I  had found love or it
had found me
as our lips touched
and I saw eternity in
her eyes but *******
see the lies.

Just for a moment
I held her body next to mine
so warm and so bright
as she took me through
the night.

Just for a moment
it was not about
love or sexuality but
it was about the way
we fit.

Just for a moment  
I gave her my heart and
that was all I could give
but it just wasn't enough so
she left just as she had done
with so many others
before.

Just for a moment
I was so happy, so in love
but somehow knew
that it was just too good
to be true as things
got real blue when
I found out that
she was and had
been untrue.

Just for a moment
only a year ago I was
kindness and I lost
and the future dissolved
in moments.

Just for a moment
I am 63 and and gray
with 3 grandkids
and not much more to say
except what we
used to say so long ago
"Have a nice day"
and maybe "We will meet
again someday."                               Jon  York              2012