Guardians

Tall and thin, he
leans against a jet, sun
bouncing off the carrier deck
beyond, a peaceful expanse of South China Sea
something quietly tired in his smile

In other pics
boys far too young flash
vibrant smiles as they climb about aircraft –

Tanned and shirtless
a young tousled-hair plane
captain laughs at the photographer

Vietnam is over and
good-natured American boys are coming home

Computer screens
sanitize the smell of jet fuel
and sweat, block the blistering heat
rising from the deck – night ops
broken sleep – the dead, the missing,
the frustration, the pain – all cleansed

Archived by subject
among hundreds of other
photos, these have become just
interesting pictures in the tapestry of life

He muses who the young pilot might be – uh
You Dad, son says – he looks closer, unsure

During this time of peace and love, pause to
thank all those who serve unseen far from home
and loved ones.