Sammy's Girl Poem by Joe Howell

Sammy's Girl
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Her family was always a few dollars below
The poverty level. And no matter how hard her Dad
Worked, they could not get ahead.

Every school year she received three things, a new dress, under clothes and a new pair of shoes.
Because the shoes had to last the year, they were
what other children called 'Bro-gans'.

When she was 16 she met Sammy.
Wow it was like a light shinning into her life.
She knew that some day they would marry.

For Christmas that year Sammy gave her a very special
Present. A pair of Red shoes.
They were beautiful.
She felt like Dorothy dancing in OZ.

When Sammy turned 18 he told her that he had to go fight for his country.

There was a war in Vietnam, and he felt that he had to go.

The day before he left, he had a dozen white roses delivered
To her home. It was the first flowers that she had ever received.

The Good-By was awful, and she felt pain in her heart.
Three months later a man came to visit Sammy's parents.

It was the Worst of News.
It was the Last of Time.
It was like Last Night,
and
Sammy'still 18.