The Black Granite Wall

I stand in solemn awe,

staring at names

etched into this polished black

granite wall.

Too many names

can not read them all,

nor can I contain myself

tears begin to fall.

These men and women

who left husband, wife, children alone

to give their lives in a combat zone.

I stand in solemn awe,

my reflection’s on this black granite wall.

a free man’s staring back at me.

Because fifty-eight thousand two-hundred and seventy-two names

immortalized on this black granite wall.

Rick J. Musick ã

6-28-11