Warriors are my brothers

Warriors are my brothers

For I too am a warrior

The evening news says there is a war

The morning papers say there is a war

Rangers are important people now

When I was a Ranger important didn't count

Freedom rings in many different sounds

Warriors must be ready for them all

Bullets and bombs and grenades

Bite and harm in harmony

I am envious of our present warriors

Supported by our country and by those

who are at the lead

My heart is swollen with pride and patriotism

It wasn't always so

For me and my brothers of years ago

The wearing of Patriotism

Was done on the inside

Now it can be done 24/7

With no fear of consequence

When they come home, all the warriors

Tell them thanks and most of all

Remember them and take care of them

SENSES

   After hearing the sounds of war;
   Bullets traveling as fast as they need be
   Killing quicker.
   Artillery rounds and airplane bombs
   Falling like Oregon rain.
   Landing indifferently but oh so loud.
   After seeing the sights of war;
   Images that made the nightly news.
   Tracers that came in Christmas colors.
   Armless children with pain and fear
   Surging behind eyes blank with hate.
   The flag covered coffins going home.
   After smelling the smells of war;
   Fish and rice can permeate the nose
   As far as it can.
   People project their scent with purpose.
   Did you know you can die smelling good?
   Gunpowder and death are one and the same.
   After tasting the the taste of war;
   It comes in only one flavor.
   Danger has it's own pallet.
   Tobasco can only cover some parts
   Of what you have time to eat.

SEVEN SHADES OF GREEN

   Shadows, dark and mystical.
   Being one with the jungle.
   Colors pierce my eyes.
   Seven shades of green.

   Every sense screams beware.
   My weapon is ready, but not for fun.
   Sounds crash everywhere.
   Seven shades of green.

   Crawling creatures smelling for blood.
   I'm too good. Can't catch me.
   Rotting vegetation captures my nose.
   Seven shades of green.

   Striding with deep care.
   Booby traps and punji sticks, not here.
   Can't catch me. I'm too good.
   Seven shades of green.

   If you call me boy, come make me a man.
   It's the answers, not the questions.
   Can't feel my hands for the sweat.
   Seven shades of green.

   A step and a half slithers by.
   Wer'e all alone but wer'e not.
   Thirsty, always thirsty.
   Seven shades of green.

   Cautious, time to rest.
   But rest, it does not come.
   We stop but they don't.
   Seven shades of green.

   Warning shots everywhere.
   Death is in the next step.
   The world is so far away.
   Seven shades of green.

   Rumbling. Brilliant flash. Deep sounds.
   Arc light? Who lives? Who dies?
   Don't mean nothing.
   Seven shades of green.

   How can I be here?
   A Ranger humping the jungle.
   Where there is always
   Seven shades of green.