How Many Men

I sometimes wonder as I walk along

Through the bamboo and the trees

How many men have walked these paths

Or the hundreds just like these

How many men have started from here

And walked off through the brush

And how many men have silenced their voice

To listen in the dark nights hush

How many men have woke at night

When a rocket blast bit their ear

And how many men rolled over to fight

And forgot their long thought fear

How many men who fought those fights

Gave up their lives and died

And how many of their new found friends

Have wanted to break down and cry

How many men have walked back out

I know the number is too few

Especially when that number affects

A friend, a relative or you

But there are those who will say again

That winning is worth the cost

I wonder how many of them can say

They have had a son or husband lost

If just one man had lost his life

And as winners we had come away

Who could tell that man's wife

It was worth the price he paid

Yes, I sometimes wonder as I walk these paths

How many lives have been lost

And at night I pray that I won't be

Another item on that list of costs

But I'll walk these paths for twelve long months

And when my year is done

I'll go home a happy man

Because my war is won