Dark Scar
By Tony Franco

He put off the trip
To D.C. for years
When others asked
Him why
He answered
Too busy, don’t have time,
Can’t get away
All the while knowing
He’d have to go

Now for no known reason
He planned his trip well
Arriving at night
He stood long alone
And with the first rays
Of day he began to walk
The wall

He walked its length, turned
Started back slowly reading
The names,
Searching for those left
Behind images of their
Faces flooding his mind.

Halfway back he stopped
And from his field jacket
Took his ribbons, medals
Dog tags and kneeling
Placed them on the ground

He stood, bowed his head
To offer up a silent prayer
His shoulders began to twitch
His back arched, he leaned
Into the wall placing the palms
Of his hands against the dark scar
That cut into his soul
He then cried the cry
So long denied.