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<DIV>I think, perhaps, the most powerful piece you have ever posted.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Sue</DIV>
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<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=thansen@moscow.com
href="mailto:thansen@moscow.com">Tom Hansen</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, October 09, 2012 9:05 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">Moscow Vision 2020</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] Something to Ponder . . .
(please)</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
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<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3>How many more names must we add
to those lists of names at the base of the war memorial statue in East City
Park?</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3><BR></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469)">------------------------------------</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3><BR></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3>"The Wall Within" by Steve
Mason.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3>Most real men</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3>hanging</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3>in their early
forties</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3>would like the rest of us to
think</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3>they could handle one more
war</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3>and two more women.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3>But I know better.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3>You have no more lies to
tell.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s3>I have no more dreams to
believe.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I have seen it in your
face</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I am sure you have noticed
it</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>in mine;</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>at the unutterable,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>unalterable truth of our
war.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>The eye sees</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>what the mind
believes.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>And all that I know of
war,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>all that I have heard of
peace,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>has me looking over my
shoulder</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>for that one bullet</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>which still has my name on
it--</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>circling</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>round and round the
globe</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>waiting and circling</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>circling and waiting</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>until I break from
cover</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and it takes its best, last
shot.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>In the absence of Time, the
accuracy of guilt is assured.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>It is a cosmic
marksman.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Since Vietnam,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I have run a zigzag
course</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>across the open fields of
America</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>taking refuge in the inner
cities.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>From Mac Arthur Park</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>to Washington Square</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>from Centennial Park</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>to DuPont Circle,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>on the grassy, urban knolls of
America</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I have seen an army of combat
veterans</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>hidden among the
trees..</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Veterans of all our recent
wars.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Each a part of the best of his
generation.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Waiting in his teeth for
peace.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>They do not lurk
there</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>on the backs of park
benches</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>drooling into their
socks</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>above the remote, turtled back
of chess player playing soldiers.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>They do not perch upon the
gutter's lip</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of midnight fountains</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and noontime wishing
wells</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>like surrealistic
gargoyles</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>guarding the coins and simple
wishes</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of young lovers.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>No.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I have seen them in the quiet
dignity</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of their aloneness.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Singly, in the
confidence</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of their own
perspective.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>And always at the edges of the
clearing.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Patrolling like perimeter
guards,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>or observing as primitive
gods,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>each in his own way looks out to
the park</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>that he might "see" in to the
truth.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>...Some, like me</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>enjoy the comfortable
base</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of a friendly tree</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>that we might cock one
eye</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>to the center of the
park</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>toward the rearing bronze
horsemen</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of other wars</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>who would lead us backwards to
glory.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Daily, they are
fragged</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>by a platoon of disgruntled
pigeons</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>saying it best for all of
us.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>And with the other
eye,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>we read the poetry of America
the Beautiful</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>as she combs her midday
hair</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and eats precise shrimp
sandwiches</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and salad Nicoise catered by
Tupperware--</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and never leaves a single
crumb.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto"><SPAN class=s4>No wonder
America</SPAN><SPAN class=s4> is the only country</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>in the world which doesn't smell
like food.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>...and I remember you and
me</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>picnicking at the
side</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the
rain</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>eating the Limas and Ham from
the can</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>sitting easy in our youth and
our strength</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>driving hard bargains with each
other</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>for the C-ration
goodies</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>we unwrapped like Christmas
presents.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Somehow it really seemed to
matter</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>what he got versus what you
got.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>It wasn't easy trading cheese
and crackers</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>for chocolate-covered peanut
butter cookies!</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>And the pound cake--Forget about
it!</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I knew a guy would cut a hole in
it</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and pretend it was a
doughnut.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>For six months I watched
that</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and refused to ask him about
it.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I did finally. And you guessed
it.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>He hated pound cake.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>And remember the water
biscuit</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>that came in its own
tin?--</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I think they had the moxie to
call it a cookie--</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>it came with the
marmalade</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and was made by that outfit in
Chicago</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>we promised to burn to the
ground someday.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Damn, how did your buddy, the
animal,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>ever eat that crap?</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Then, we'd happily wash down the
whole mess</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>with freckly-faced strawberry
Kool-Aid</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>straight from the
canteen</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>some days there'd be goofy
grape</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>(anything to keep from
choking</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>on the taste of purified
water).</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto"><SPAN class=s4>Bleck!</SPAN><SPAN
class=s4></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>But somehow I sensed all the
while</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>that I'd never be able to
forgive myself</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>for enjoying your company so
much</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>or being so good at the game we
played.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>We were the best--you and
I.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>In our parks</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>there are whole other armies of
veterans</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>mostly young and mostly
old</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>but always ageless</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>who are not alone.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>They share with their
families</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and their friends</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>these open-aired</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>above-ground time
capsules</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of our national
culture.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>They read aloud to
themselves</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and their children</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>from the plaques and
statues</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>monuments and markers</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>those one-line truths</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of our common
experience</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>as if there could be a real
significance</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>in words like Love and Hate
tatooed</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>on the clenched, granite fists
of America.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Sometimes, when I am
angry</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>it seems as if I could start my
own country</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>with the same twenty Spill and
Spell words</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>we shake out at the feet of our
heroes</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>like some crone spreading her
hands</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>over the runes prior to a mystic
reading.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Words like:</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>peace and sacrifice, war and
young</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>supreme and duty, service and
honor</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>country, nation, men and men and
men again,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>sometimes God and don't forget
women!</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Army Air Force, Navy, Marines
and freedom.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Then, just as quickly, the anger
passes</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and reverence takes its
place.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Those are good words, noble
words, solemn</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto"><SPAN class=s4>and</SPAN><SPAN class=s4>
sincere.</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>It is the language of
Death</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>which frightens me;</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>it is unearthly to speak life
concepts</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>over the dead.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Death is inarticulately
final</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>refusing forever to
negotiate.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>That, and the awesome
responsibility</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>we place eternally on our
fallen</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>teenage sons,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>seems unbearably
heavy</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>against the lengthening
prancing</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto"><SPAN class=s4>shadows of Sunday's
frisbee</SPAN><SPAN class=s4>s.</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Apparently, there is no
period</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>which can be placed after
sacrifice.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>All life is struggle.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>an act of natural
balance</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and indomitable
courage.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>As it is with man</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>so it is with
mankind.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>If we permit Memorial
Day</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>to come to us every
day,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>we ignore the concept of
sacrifice</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and dilute its
purpose.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>When we do that</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>we incur the
responsibility</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>to effect change.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>If we are successful,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>the sacrifice has renewed
meaning</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>It seems there is no alternative
to life.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>But there may be to
war...</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>The values of our
society</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>seem to be distributed in our
parks</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and find only confusion and
sadness.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Strange, I have observed no
monuments</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>to survivors.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>No obelisk to mark the
conflict</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of those who risked</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and lived perhaps to fight
again</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>or perhaps to speak of
peace.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Nowhere, yet, a wall for the
living.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>There is no wonder</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>guilt is the sole survivor of
war.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>We do not celebrate like after
combat</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>because our concept of
glory</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>lives neither in victory nor in
peace</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>but in Death.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>The are plaques at the
doorsteps</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of skyscrapers;</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>in New York on the 10th and the
Avenue</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of the Americas it
reads:</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4><BR></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s5><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>IN MEMORY OF THOSE</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s5><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>FROM </SPAN><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto">GREENWICH VILLAGE</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s5><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>WHO MADE THE SUPREME
SACRIFICE</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s5><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>IN THE KOREAN
CONFLICT</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s5><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto"><SPAN class=s4>1950-19</SPAN><SPAN
class=s4>53</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s5><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto"><SPAN class=s4><BR></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>In Nashville's Centennial
Park</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>in a shaded wood</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>to one side of the
Partheon</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>built to scale and to the
glory</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>which was Greece,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>a small statue
stands;</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>it is inscribed:</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4><BR></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s5><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I GAVE MY BEST</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s5><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>TO MAKE A BETTER
WORLD</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s5><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>1917-1918</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s5><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4><BR></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I stood there on fall</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>ankle deep in leaves</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and looked up at the night
sky</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>through a hole in a ceiling of
trees</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>wondering how much better the
world</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>might look from up
there.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>From the moon</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>only one manmade
object</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>can be viewed by the naked
eye:</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>The Great Wall of
China</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>(a tribute to man's functional
paranoia).</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>It's a peculiar
perspective</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>because we're a lot
closer</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and the only manmade object we
see</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>is THE Wall in Washington,
D.C.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>(the veterans' solemn pledge to
remember)</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>There is one other wall, of
course.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>One we never speak
of.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>One we never see,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>One which separates memory from
madness.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>In a place no one offers
flowers.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>THE WALL WITHIN.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>We permit no
visitors.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Mine looks like any of a
million</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>nameless, brick
walls--</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>it stands in the tear-down
ghetto of my soul;</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>that part of me which reason
avoids</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>for fear of dirtying its
cloths</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and from atop which my sorrow
and my rage</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>hurl bottles and
invectives</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>at the rolled-up
windows</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of my passing youth.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Do you know the wall I
mean?</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I learned of mine that night in
the rain</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>when I spoke at the memorial in
Washington.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>We all noticed how the wall ran
like tears</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and every man's name we
found</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>on the polished, black granite
face</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>seemed to have our eyes staring
back at us,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>crying.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>It was haunting.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>later I would realize</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I had caught my first
glimpse</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of the Wall Within.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>And those tears were
real.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>You and I do not walk about the
Wall Within</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>like Hamlet on the
battlements.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>No one with our savvy</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>would expose himself like
that</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>especially to a frightened,
angry man.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Suicide loiters in our
subconscious</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and bears a grudge; an
assassin</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>on hashish. We must be
wary.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>No. We sit there legless in our
immobility</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>rolling precariously in our
self-pity</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>like ugly Humpty
Dumpties</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>with disdain even for the king's
horses</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>as we lean over the ledge to
write</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>upside down with chalk, bleached
white</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>with our truth</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>the names of all the other
casualties</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>of the Vietnam War</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>(our loved one)</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>the ones Pentagon didn't put in
uniform</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>but died anyway.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Some because they stopped being
who</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>they always were</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>just as truly as if they'd
found</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>another way to
breathe.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Others, because they did
die</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>honest-to-God casualties of
the</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Vietnam War</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>because they lost the
will</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>to breathe at all.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>My mother gave her first
recital</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>at Carnagie Hall at age
eleven.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Sometimes, when I was a
boy</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>I'd watch her play the
piano</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and wonder if, God, after all,
was not a woman.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>One evening when I was in the
bush</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>she turned on the 6:00
news</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>and died of a heart
attack.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>My mother's name is on the Wall
Within.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>You starting to get the
idea?</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>Our lists may be
different</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>but shoulder to
shoulder</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>if we could find the right flat
cloud</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto" class=s4>on a perfect, black
night</SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=s4>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>we could
project our images</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>upon a
god-size drive-in theatre</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>wide
enough to race Ben Hur across</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>for a
thousand years...</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>Because
the Wall Within</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>adds up
the true cost of war...</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>We can
recite 58,012 in our sleep</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>even the
day after they update it,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>but how
many of those KIA had kids?</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>How many
of them got nice step-dads?</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>Whose
wall do they go on?</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>And what
about you vets</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>who came
home to your wife and kids</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>only to
divorce her because</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN class=s4>there
wasn't anyone to be angry at?</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
class=s4><BR></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class=s2><SPAN
class=s4>------------------------------------</SPAN></P>
<DIV
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: arial; FONT-SIZE: 11px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto"> </DIV></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto">
<DIV>Seeya at the polls, Moscow, because . . .</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Moscow Cares"</DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.MoscowCares.com">http://www.MoscowCares.com</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>Tom Hansen</DIV>
<DIV>Moscow, Idaho</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"We're a town of about 23,000 with 10,000 college students. The
college students are not very active in local elections (thank
goodness!)."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>- Dale Courtney (March 28, 2007)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV></DIV>
<P>
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