HE WAS JUST 19
By: Alan L Winters May 2005
For Mark E Allen Panel W-2, Line 101
His age was 19 years then
And I was 21.
And we shared a bond called friendship
'neath the rain and searing sun.
High upon the hill we lived
In billets green and brown
Safe within a netted womb
Yet fearing every sound.
I know that I'm immortal, Mark
To live within this Hell.
But deep within a shrapneled soul
I feared the shot and shell.
He went north while I stayed there.
No word was ever said.
Two months passed before I heard
That Mark, my friend, was dead.
And though the years have passed me by
Our friendship never weans.
My years are now at 54,
But Mark is still 19.