ROGER C. WORLEY

Ode To Nemo

Four thousand went to war–-two hundred returned.
They were called "Trail Blazers", A synonym for
odds of death. First in, last out, They never
complained, Nor apprehensive about the reward,
 'Dead or Alive',  on their heads.
 
And then there was  Nemo, courage unquestioned,
fearless, committed to duty, and devoted from 
head to toe who after seeing his buddy wounded,
went one on one with an enemy that out numbered
him sixty to one. He never backed down, not an inch!
 
The fighting was vicious and barbaric, but,
Nemo, although wounded a dozen times, one
taking out his right eye, never gave up.
As his buddy called for assistance, Nemo,
not understanding death, fought like a ghoul.
 
Blood stained vegetation and dead were spread,
for a twenty yards, as if confeti , that day.
When it was over, only two remained alive
on that jungle trail in a place called 'NAM' ...
a badly injured handler and a 'Trail Blazing",
 
German Shepherd,  known to the military ,
affectionately, as 'NEMO'
Who died in 1977, aside his beloved handler
in Montana, on a warm, peaceful, summer's day...

copyright 2003 ROGER C. WORLEY

DAVID BARNES

Offerings

Sept 22nd, 2001
I wish it were spring
or summer;
but I know your game. 
Taking autumn's 
burnt offerings, 
ashes; 
gray streaks my hair 
I see which season
shall win this sly life, 
I know your changes
as I know well my own. 
I offer ashes
to the one
who has claim to me. 
White hair 
lies breathless 
upon the 
pillow. 

copyright 2003