I Am Sure There Were Many

Written especially for Mr. Cleveland Kurtz. Thank you for believing in me!

And thank you for letting me share your poem with other veterans

I am sure there were many

Who met and knew you when

You marched the streets of war

You protected them -- they became your friends

When it was time to move on

You may not have felt lucky

When you first arrived back

With dust on your feet -- from the Vietnam highways

But there was a reason

You were saved and not taken

For many a travelling soul

You would help them march -- up their very own knoll

The Universal God knew

You had many a purpose

You would show others the light

So they could find reason to fight

They would see deep within their hearts

They would find their very souls

You would light up their expectations

And grant them pride -- give them something to hold

You would show them the way

They would begin to feel special

They would take flight with their wings

They would give back -- and many would truly sing

They would always feel lucky

That they met and knew you when

You gave them a second chance

Because you saw something they did not -- and you became their friend

You may not feel the same purpose today

But if you think back I know you would say

“I did the right thing -- I followed my path.”

And if you keep the divine door open

You will always find more joy in your heart!

©2020 Karen Lea

Cleveland Kurtz- “Karen, I put your poem on my desktop and read it all most every day,

because it makes me feel good. Thanks so much.”