Every Third Man Poem by Jim Sularz

Every Third Man
© 2009 (Jim Sularz)


Young Men thrust up against a Wall,
eyes forward, and standing tall.
And there we stood, unknowingly,
that some would not come back at all.

One, Two, Three – Marine. One, Two, Three – Marine.

Every third Man, like a pawn,
took one step forward, one step gone.
And there we stood, knowing, that all would go.
– Welcome to Vietnam.

One, Two, Three – Marine. One, Two, Three – Marine.

The echoed count grew louder,
and closer to me.
My heart started to race,
my muscles started to freeze.

One, Two, Three – Marine. One, Two, Three – Marine!

Older Men face-first against a Wall, eyes dimmed, but still standing tall.
And here we stand, with distant memories of All.
And Call Out to those etched deep in our Hearts,
– now timeless imprints on The Wall.