Dennis W. Holley Island Hopping

Island Hopping Dennis W. Holley

The war took boys from Alabama and Tennessee, Trained them in California, shipped them over the sea, To some God-forsaken island where the Japanese landed planes, Those innocent boys would forever be changed. The bravado instilled or brought from home, Would likely be shattered stripped down to the bone. When the shells exploded and the dead fell in heaps, Their dreams would be nightmares that cancelled their sleep. From boredom to sheer terror the days crawled by, The knowing looks that passed eye to eye. That this will be the day when my luck runs dry. Like Billy and Roger, we watched as they died. So, who will tell mama her boy won’t come home, And break it to Daddy he’ll plow the field alone. For my duty is called I must do what I can, The battle is raging, we fight once again.