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Poetry from within
   

In my youth


When I was strong in my youth my son,

When I was young and so in my prime,

There wasn't a pace that I could not set

Nor a mountain that I could not climb.



When I was strong in my youth my son,

When I was so brash and sure like you

I then served with the Nations very best,

And to beat me, there were very few.



In strength of my very youth my son

During the many a battle fought

Fought with the strength of a lion my son

Just as the Army training had taught.



They taught me to fight to win my son

Yes always to fight hard, and to win

Some Civvies said that to kill my son

Was indeed a most terrible sin.



The Military built me strong son

They built me very strong and quite sure

Then quickly sent me away my son

To go fight in an Asian war.



What I saw, and things I did my son

Proved the many a pacifist right

Blood fire and violent death my son

Are certainly NOT a pretty sight.



I'm no longer as strong as you son,

Maybe the years I have left are few

Always remember that you my son,

Can be strong, but always gentle to.

©

Leslie de la Haye


FootNote: This poem was written after a rather strenuous trip into the Yosemite Mountains USA.