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Stars... and Stripes... and Wrinkles |
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I have seen some very old vets...
How do they
live to be so old
I mean, what the heck...?
The
odds are against them...
... So many die from disease
There's Agent Orange,
a new threat...
older war
veterans
had never met...
but... still there is
cancer...
... and diabetes
PTSD will bring some
... to their knees
A lot of them pass on...
... by
their own hand
... a gun, drink... drugs...
...
It's common in this land
... Yet here are these old
fellas,
just leaned back...
... taking their ease,
... each day just eyeing
the flag in the breeze
Dreading the day...
their brothers will be gone
... and they... Dear God...
will be left here all
alone
What gives an old vet
... the will to live
so long
when so many have passed on
Is there a
secret ritual
... that does to them alone, belong
I wonder what magic they hold...
Does God take his
chosen...
and... perhaps pour steel in their mold...
... God Blessings on each one's dear soul... |
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By Faye Sizemore
Copyright 2003
Listed January 30, 2012 |
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About
Author...
Faye Sizemore makes her home in the beautiful foothills of South Carolina with Grant, the love of her life, as well as three dogs, two cats, two parakeets and four nanny goats. Grant is a Vietnam Veteran having served with the US Marines in 1968-69 and is, of course, Faye's muse. Faye is deeply interested in Veterans' Affairs and Veterans' Causes. She is very proud of Grant and her poetry is an off-shoot of that pride.
Visit
Faye Sizemore's site for more information
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