*Based on a true story told to me every now and then by my father
**In memory of Uncle Mai…
He was named after a flower
He turned out so kind and tender
His father died fighting for his country
When he turned eighteen, he headed straight for the army
There he befriended my father
They became the best of brothers
Their friendship kept them strong to fight for their country
Until the day he stepped on a mine of the enemy
Papa always sheds a tear as he says
“Lord, I never forget the look on his face”
In his last moments he took my papa’s hand
“Mate, you tell my mama this is not the end”
I wondered why papa loved that flower
He said it always made the house warmer
When I was old enough to learn about my country
Papa told the story of a man who died for our peace
He was among thousands of others
Who gave their lives for the land of their fathers
Who lived and fought till the very end
And in their last breaths still had their faith remained
Papa always sheds a tear as he says
“Lord, I never forget the look on his face”
In his last moments he took my papa’s hand
“Mate, you tell my mama this is not the end”
