The Boys of Summer

Look at them now, the boys of summer,

classmates from high school-

older than they dreamed they might ever be

moving carefully, cautiously,

wondering where all the curls went

My heroes , startled by 'old man' comments

casually dropped or thrown by those

too young to know that 'grandpa' was a soldier.

He mucked his way through swamp and jungle

wet, hungry, and sometimes bleeding.

That " move a little faster" person in the grocery store line

moved plenty fast once carrying his wounded buddy

while shots rang out overhead

or with a bullet in his own gut

urging him on.

Look at them now

our soldiers

who went, drafted, or on their own

to serve

to suffer

and too many, to die

walking a little bent now,

a bit too slow

for those in such a rush.

They overlook real heroes

These rushing souls

but they should be pausing

 to wait with awe

To bow low

as the keepers of their

freedoms

are passing by.