Shake Hands (before they go)

Losing friends is never easy. I (Army civilian) made many friends in Iraq and lost some.

Shake Hands
(before they go)

Little kids out running around
Its nap time now, don’t make a sound
Out at recess playing tag
One story topped why another’s brag

Long curly locks get pulled some times
Teachers reading nursery rhymes
Young kids learning how to read
Teachers planting the 3 R seed

Playing Army after school
Most try to practice the Golden Rule
Sixth grade boys just trying to be cool
Splashing the girls when they jump in the pool

Our paths can cross so many times
But just one journey from the nursery rhymes
We all are family, like it or not
Some have lost touch, but not forgot

Some left us early, without a good-bye
Wish someone could tell me a good reason why
Grown up Soldiers, Not running around
It’s their nap time now, don’t make a sound


By Phil Rider
Dec 2005, Fallujah, Iraq