la Drangs' bloody Banquet 1965
'Twas in la Drang valley that young lives ended
during deaths' banquet fully attended
valiantly they fought for ideals defended
The least we can do is remember them
When they that answered the call
roamed jungle valleys of palm trees tall
saw floating daylight that night
and noticed looming shadows in the dim light
They locked, loaded and prepped for the fight
Starlight scopes making the jungle green bright
spotted flashes from nearby shadowy palms
spitting seeds of death from enemy arms
perimeter claymores shredded moving shadows
sending body parts flying in the surreal green glow
NVA regulars were honored guests at the banquet
'Twas a horrific scene to never forget
as death loomed like a centerpiece of blood roses
with history being written in chaotic prose
Lethal buzzing metal flew unseen
and found their mark accompanied by anguished screams
Chaos persisted during the humid night
mixed with the smell of death and acrid cordite
bloody trails of sticky crimson wet
made by the crawling wounded near death
marked the foreign dirt never theirs
dirt that absorbed their bitter tears
Deaths' bloody feast in the morning light
revealed the price of idealistic projection of might
as deeds of valor in a senseless war
were counted by the score
and during the eternity of that banquet grotesque
those who remained alive were forever scarred valiant guests
