Posted by W. John Oliver on January 27, 2010:

When I die, old friend, come and knock on my coffin Knock with an open hand, palm facing down I will know it is you, by the low, solid "Thunk!" Come, brothers, to find me, and knock your farewell Don't hesitate to travel great distance When the time comes for you to knock on my coffin Come, you one thousand, grey-garmented warriors From Washington's Basement, up through the mess Cross oceans if needed to pay your respects To all that we weathered together before When life was much simpler (though we didn't know it) Remember by knocking...greet me one more time Dress in rags or a morning suit, I won't care But be sure to bring the single emblem That binds us one to another for all time And when you pass by my coffin, knock with it If you are a senator, or a mechanic Whether or not you ever wore stars On this day I stand at the front of our column Knock! Come give me my tribute, though I won't reply I will hear you. And my children will see you My widow will know you valued your memory of me You remembered standing with me that day Shivering in the cold rain, ringed, wrapped in wool and hatless In unison we felt the elation Convinced we had endured life's fiercest lessons Prepared to brave our calling, "Strengthen the Line!" Knock to jog your memory of that moment we shared Now knock again, for the time we wore green Schooled by great soldiers in the art of our profession Discipline, Temperance, Selflessness, Industry Knock on my coffin for these warrior's virtues We stood once together in Dahlonega Suffering privation, hands cracked and bleeding Frozen but inspired to sing Pirate Songs Knock! to remind yourself of that glorious time And on the night before you knock on my coffin Make a bonfire, for those shivering, wind-howling weeks Struggling against our mortality to prove our mettle Drink spirits by that fire, so strong they burn your throat Stand with a hundred others, wearing your rings Rehearsing words you'll share with my family About all the foolish things we did together And what great men we hoped to become Knock to rattle my decaying bones, old friend I don't need them any longer, make music with them Dance with irreverence that mocks the solemn mood Just be sure you first knock on my coffin Nothing else you might do can offend me So long as you slap your ring to reassure me That you have not forgotten our journey And to demonstrate the power, the unshakable passion of our bond We had the good fortune to grow up together So pause...long enough to knock on my coffin Sing the Alma Mater with an old man's breath Then return to your life grateful for this uncommon brotherhood

admin