TAPS

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in
And the deeds that he had done.
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, everyone.

For when countries are in conflict,
Then we find the Sailor’s part,
Is to clean up all the troubles,
That the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor,
While he’s here to hear the praise,
Then at least let’s give him homage,
At the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline,
In the paper that might say:

“Our country is in mourning, for a sailor died today”

by A. Lawrence Vaincourt