Darryl

Darryl died Sunday night
in an alleyway
in Hue
in fading light
shot in the head
a lucky hit
and he caught it
and he was dead
another Marine
came under fire
behind a large tire
by a sniper unseen
someone dragged Darryl
by his feet
away from the street
and over a barrel
to the University
where he was tagged
and bagged
and sent home free
often there was news
about this war
and more
for consumers to choose
but it wasn't a game
think street fight
shoot on sight
nothing tame
nothing certain
bullets flying
civilians dying
everyone hurting
to stop the spread
of Communism
this Baptism
of angry lead
meant Darryl's death
now we'll catch our breath
when the dust falls
and decks the halls
with bells of holly
fa la la la la
la la la
la