margaret carlisle

In 1964 the already unpopular Vietnam War was not yet drafting married men. I had just had a friend who had been killed there and decided I didn't want another.....

So Bobby Wasn't Drafted

No proposal, more like an urgent plea,
I'll be deferred from 'Nam, if only you'll marry me;
Just 24 hours is all he had,
That's what the notice from the draft board read.

No time to pause, no time to reflect,
She had to say 'Yes', even though circumspect;
And on their hasty way to wed, rain fell to thunder's call,
As her tears dropped hard and made their own downfall.

The war had changed her life, so it would not take his,
But her wedding night would be absent of bliss;
Knowing he was not the groom she wanted,
Still, duty called, and so her hand she granted.