Peleliu (LHA 5) - Naval Cruise Book

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A BETTER MAN, THAN I The old man sat- Stared at me, His eyes, they told- A tale. l probed his face, Great sadness, one could feel- His wrinkled, weathered, leathered lines were genuine- were real. We, watching, both the other- lndeterminable- was Time, A lengthy conversation- though- We never spoke a line. He looked of devastation, Horror and despair- Of supernatural fire, Of lightning everywhere. l watched, in awe- and wonder- His trials- so unjust- Unfolding legs, up he stood, ln ashes, soot, and dust. He smiled at me, then nodded- As if to say, UGooday , Peered beyond my shoulder, . . . pointing Far across the bay. Tracing from his crooked finger, Through the darkest clouds on high, I saw the Devil's funnel- pouring- Smoke into the sky. He brushed away the ashes Which lay upon his brow, Ancient lines, upon his forehead- Could clearly be read, now: Told a tale of Eons, Of ancestors, long ago- Who lived beneath the shadow Cf another volcano. Gazing all around me- Realizing it was noon, Ash choking off the daylight, Brightest sun: became the moon. We faced the silent other, Each thinking of his soul, Earth trembled in the darkness- Daring each of us to go. Proudly, he stood his ground No fear upon his face- Opened wide his gaunt brovm arms, His land, he did embrace. ln dust and haze, l saw them- A million men in all, Rising through the ashes . . . Somehow- Beckoned by his call. Our Uconversation finished, ln the corner of my eye, A crystal ball was forming, As l gulped a sad 'lC1oodbye . The teardrop slowly trickled- 'Cross the ash upon my face, l turned in shame- and wondered? Were such men of human race? Western man will surely flee- East, too, will run away, North and South will founder, As if it's Judgement Day. T O noble Philipino, True keeper of his land- Will dig out from the rubble, Will take a mighty stand. Rebuilding- like their fathers- So many years ago, Never will they be defeated- By the sleep awakened giant, Named: PINATUBO. by:LcbR. J.k. s1PEs 6 July 1991 FIERY VIGIL 105

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