December 2007 is my 40^th anniversary of returning from Vietnam

40 Years of Days and Nights

It has only been 40 years,

yet the names are fading.

I remember their faces,

I remember their stories,

I clearly remember their wounds.

I am losing their names.

There was a time when I tried to forget,

I wanted to move on,

I wanted to stop crying at the wrong time.

I didn’t want the interruption,

I wanted to enjoy.

But, I could not forget them,

now,

I am losing their names.

The ones who died,

remain clear pictures.

I remember their last moments,

and the death process,

for each.

but, no longer the names.

It is not that I have forgotten you

over these last 40 years,

no

you remain with me,

it is just that time and age,

have stolen your names.