Am I to Blame?

Am I to blame?
I have been over this a million times, the answer is always the same,
I don't know what I could have done differently,
Maybe someone else in charge would have reacted more effectively.

Am I to blame?
A young officer in a difficult place with no idea of fame,
I honestly tried my best to lead them all home,
But so, so many died there all alone.

Am I to blame?
This nightmare I live is no game.
There are so many of which I have written before,
As I get older the memories fade more and more.

Am I to blame?
Though the memories fade the feeling stays the same.
Their faces haunt me every night,
This is I guess is their right.

Am I to blame?
Any excuse sounds so lame.
After all these years, I'm not even sure if what I did was right,
I've studied and thought but the guilt is a pain of strong might.

Am I to blame?
I ask every gentleman and dame.
If I did my best and felt the same pain,
Should I still be held to blame?

Am I to blame?
I guess I'm looking for someone else to blame.
What ever I do I can't escape the guilt, anger, and rage.
And to think I though these feelings would go away with age.

© David Alexander
07 July 2002

You Are Not To Blame

You are not to blame my friend
it's time to rest at ease
Each soldier did the best he could
when the world was not at peace.

It wouldn't have made a difference
who took charge, their rank or name
You were brothers fighting side by side
not looking to point the blame.

I think if I were a fallen brother
who physically never made it home
I would feel at home in your hearts
and for that reason not died alone.

I doubt the faces, nightmares and pain
for a Soldier will completely go away
Until they are united on Heaven's shore
one peaceful and healing day.

© Eileen Breedlove
07 July 2002