58,249 – The Vietnam War Memorial

58,249 died for arrogance
Not their own
Died
Offering their souls
For a glint of an idea
Their names branded on granite

Panel 06E, Line 106
Reuben Harris

Iced gray stone
Tourist fingers running
Over bitter furrows
Hoping to connect
Somehow to connect
Craving warmth
Getting none

Panel 14E, Line 79
Robert Lewis “Doc” Brown

But this immutable testament
Proclaims 58,249
Explosions of death
Ineloquent grief
Insensate to solace

Panel 22E, Line 68
LeGrande Ogden Cole, Jr.

Horror for a last breath
Bliss for a last wish
Rest in peace
Someday we might learn
Lessons you tried to teach
And then we might
Rest in hope

Daniel Vernor Borah, Jr., Missing in Action - still