Monday, May 7, 2007

Forgotten Heroes


Tattered clothing
hair full of tangle
emaciated face,
tells of woe
Impatient people
quick to degrade
Dismissed as a cause now lost

How does one get here?
A disgrace some will say
Turn away in disgust

Life full of promise
Served proud for us all
Forgotten, as if

No request for this mission
No bed for rest
Scraps of discarded food

Reflections of early years
Battle Hymns played
No questions asked

Too much to deal with
Death all around
Trapped in my mind, forever
No pension or address
Tin cup in hand
Spare a dollar for grub
Serving or begging
both done with pride
For I am a vet, til I die

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This is powerful and made me sad to realize just how true it is.

As a retired vet, I thank you for caring.


Peace to you and yours


M.Grutenaur