My Childhood Friend

Who’s to teach me the values I so need to learn -

if I haven’t learned them by now

Who will show me the way - that I might be found –

for I seem to be quite lost somehow

Show me the skills I’ll need - I implore

Give me courage and please make me brave

Where is the dear friend - lost to the war -

Laying silent and still in his grave.

Where is the pal that I knew as a child -

Show me - that he might be found

I have looked to the heavens and called out his name

Yet silent - he lay in the ground.

Who’ll teach them the values they so need to learn –

If they haven't learned them by now

What have they done with my childhood friend -

What can they possibly do to us now?

RJM / Agent Orange