DIEING

I WAS NOT AFRAID TO DIE

BUT OF HOW I DIED

TAKING WITH ME THE OTHER THREE

IF

I DIED WHILE THE HUEY TRIED

DUSTOFFS

MEANT MORE THAN THREE

IF

I DIED WHILE THE HUEY TRIED

ON THE GROUND

WAITED THE BRAVE AND WOUNDED MEN OF THE INFANTRY

FOR ME

AND

THE OTHER THREE

THE HUEY THEY LISTENED TO HEAR

THE DISTANT SOUND WOPPING THE AIR

THE HUE THEY WAITED TO SEE

HOVERING STRONG AND FREE

NOT AFRAID

NOT FORCED TO FLEE

PROTECTED BY THE CREWCHIEF AND ME

STEADIED BY PILOTS

BRAVER THAN I

I DID NOT DIE

NOR

THE OTHER THREE

NOR

THE INFANTRY

THAT’S OUR   JOB YOU SEE

WEB 3/25/65 Written for a journalist while drinking at Aloha Bar, Pleiku Central Highlands on a napkin he bought the drinks and other things for payment.