The Spirit of Yorktown

spirit in the creaking deck
beneath these black
and bloody combat boots
we feel the force
of Lafayette
to ride above
the flames of youth

we stare into the stars
at sea    hearing stories
echo in the wind
of crews who served
so gallantly
when vicious blows
came crashing in

now to the front line
of our time
we keep the sacred vow
prepared to live and give
or die
for the torch of freedom
on our bow

Cannes, France '87