WOUNDED: THEN AND NOW

The younger,

somewhat stronger,

reaches out to the

elder

They stand there

clasped in each other's arms

understanding ~

undemanding

Although they'd never met

and their wars were

separated by 60 years

they reach out

in their desire to share

each other's tears......

Both are survivors

both are heroes

one, the Elder,

and one, the Younger

they are the same

in their need and hunger

Each one knows

the need to be understood,

to try to find the good

in what they have gone through;

One who was maimed on a ship

and one who bled into the sand,

meet, and hug, and shed some tears

each, in his own way,

lending a hand.

© Christina 3-4-05

Photo: AP - Pearl Harbor Survivor embraces a Gulf War veteran.