50,000 Names
There's teddy bears and high school rings;
old photographs that mamas bring
of daddys with their young boys playing ball.
There's combat boots he used to wear
when he was sent over there.
There's 50,000 names carved in a wall.
There's cigarettes and cans of beer
and notes that say I miss you dear,
and children who don't say anything at all.
There's purple hearts and packs of gum
fatherless daughters and fatherless sons.
There's 50,000 names carved in the wall.
They come from all across this land
in pick-up trucks and minivans
searching for a boy from long ago.
They scan the wall and find his name
teardrops fall like pouring rain
then silently they leave a gift and go.
There's Stars of David and rosary beads.
and crucifixion figurines
and flowers of all kinds large and small
There's a boy scout badge and merit pin
little American flags waving in the wind
There's 50,000 names carved in the wall.
There's 50,000 names carved in the wall.