How Many Men

I sometimes wonder as I walk along
Through the bamboo and the trees
How many men have walked these paths
Or the hundreds just like these

How many men have started from here
And walked off through the brush
How many men have silenced their voice
To listen in the dark nights hush

How many men have woke at night
When a rocket blast bit their ear
How many men rolled over to fight
And forgot their long thought fear

How many men who fought those fights
Gave up their lives and died
How many of their new found friends
Have wanted to break down and cry

How many men have walked back out
The number is too few
Especially when that number affects
A friend, a relative or you

There are those who will say again
That winning is worth the cost
I wonder how many of them can say
They had a son or husband lost

If just one man had lost his life
And as winners we came away
Who could tell that man’s wife
It was worth the price he paid

Yes, I sometimes wonder as I walk these paths
How many lives have been lost
And at night I pray that I won’t be
Another item on that list of costs

But I’ll walk these paths for twelve long months
And when my year is done
I’ll go home a happy man
Because my war is won.