Little Table in the Hall
“...and that’s junior at nineteen
boarding the plane. He’s
wearing crisp, clean camo
headed for the Gulf.
“This folded flag—you can see it
in the picture between the six men
carrying the coffin—given
to his mother has yellowed.
The framed certificate there,
sent by the Commander-in-Chief,
thanked us for our sacrifice.
“I remember his freckles and smile
and pride when he left; the sound
of taps when he returned; and
the thousand tears we’ve cried since.
“Oh, I almost forgot the Purple Heart
which came months later.”
Dennis