One by one the names were read,
Silence fell, tears were shed...
A husband, a brother, a father, a son,
The list of names had just begun.
A mother stood, bowed her head,
That was my son's name that you just read...
When you look at this wall, do you see,
That next to his name is a part of me...
Part of my heart died that day,
Along with my son so far away.
A mother with her children close by her side,
said, "That was your father that fought and died, "
The young man tries to be strong and brave,
In honor of the life his father gave...
Thinking back to a time when he was small,
He places his hand upon the wall.
A young girl staring into space,
a look of emptiness on her face...
Her heart was breaking, again she cried,
She wished her father hadn't died.
A veteran stands, tears in his eyes,
Recalls a name and softly cries...
He bows his head in silent prayer,
Remembering the time that he was there.
Some came to see, never spoke at all,
Just looked for a name upon the wall...
Some left prayers, others tears,
Some left thoughts and fought back fears.
For all of those that fought and died,
For all of the tears that we have cried...
So many things left at the wall,
A memory of some, a tribute to all.
by June L. Horwath
