A River Runs Red

The plight of destitute veterans is paid lip service on the news...a lot of them have been abandoned by the government. >Like this one....

A River Runs Red

 

A broken veteran limps on two

steel rods with metal feet stapled on,

marching down to the river to dip a

fake toe into healing water(?)

 

The veteran is forgotten now,

medals earned now rusting in bureau drawers;

they are not worn to the river

or rehabilitation…

Passers-by shake their heads (what a shame)

but don’t look at the face,

only the appliances shining brightly

as a career once did.

 

The faceless veteran staggers, drunk

and hollow

to a home that is an uncaring

witness to pain so blinding…

steaming like piss holes in snow.

 

The veteran returns once more

to the river, now

running red…a tear

is shed to mix with

the frothy water

unnoticed.

 

dan © 2016

 

Music: “Demons,” by Imagine Dragons

 

Author's Note

Reviews

[JerryB]

This, sadly, is what far too many veterans are reduced to. After the savagery of war where he loses parts of his physical self and more parts of his mental state, he came home to an uncaring nation. We give and give to illegal immigrants, and other physically able to work for their bread and hearth, but grudgingly upon these men and women who deserve our protection we are sadly lacking. Sometimes I just want to sob. Reminds me of my uncle who survived (barely) the Japanese prison camps inside Japan, and came home a beaten man. My aunt wouldn't or couldn't live with him. He died in a rundown "nursing" home, forgotten and thrown away. I was young then, but I saw enough to scar me. I loved my uncle. He didn' deserve what he got.

[zaisham9393]

This is perfectly written dan.I enjoyed reading it.
Also, this is my all time favorite song.

[dan]

thank you, Zaisha...I really appreciate your kind words.
take care...dan

[Tristesse]

Dan,

I clicked a random poem off your page, and the first one I seemingly fell in love with. My grandfather was a proud veteran, and in the end had nothing to show for it. This touched me because when he lost his foot, everyone, even family couldn't seem to handle a limb missing. They forgot the good he served and making his country proud. That is overlooked when you grow older or lose an arm, a leg, a foot, even a finger while serving to make the same repulsed people safe.

It's very sad, but your poem is very touching. Kudos Dan, keep up the good work.

Best regards,
Tristesse

[dan]

Tristesse, I too am a veteran (served during peacetime, no residual disabilities) and the pride I hold for having serves is rocked to its core when I hear about veterans who are scarred for life, visible or not. Thank you so much for your kind words and I'm sorry to hear about your gramps. So little understanding can be as strong as the foundation of family. take care...dan

[Amber Lily]

The military deserves a lot more attention that it gets. Not to mention a better pay out. They put their lives on the line, and for what? To have the people they saved stare at their missing limbs and turn their heads...
Such a sad realization, that we live the life we do now because thousands gave their lives to make it so. Such a great write with a strong emotional message. Well done dan :)

[dan]

Amber, I always look forward to your reviews because they get to what I'm saying and even if you would disagree with every word I wrote your opinion would matter so much to me. Thank you for honoring my respect for you and gracing my writes with your perspective. take care...dan

[Amber Lily]

We do seem to have a lot of similar opinions on how this world operates, but even if I thought differently, your words would make me understand the other side of the argument. And that is why I love your work, there is meaning packed into every word. Always a pleasure :)

[dan]

Right back at'cha, young lady. take care...dan

[Insight "MH"]

It is hard when your efforts are not appreciated in this life, this poem is not only talking about real soldiers, it also talks about us humans who march in this life fighting and struggling its unpredictable outcomes. Every year that passes from our lives makes us veterans, we have scares that are rooted in our deep consciousness.

[dan]

Insight, I agree that we all have our crosses to bear but this is specifically about our wounded warriors and the broken promises of which they suffer. I have been inpatient in the Pittsburgh VA hospital psych ward on several occasions, it was basically a warehouse with almost nonexistent treatment except as medication receptacles. I also worked there for over a year and cried each day driving home. It is a travesty.
Thank you for your caring review. take care...dan

[Insight "MH"]

I am sorry for that! Take care and stay strong.

[Josie E. Cook M. A.]

Sad--but most likely true in many lives as they return broken and unhealed.

I do know one vet quite well, and he never reveals much about his experiences at war. The pain is too strong to go there.

Thanks for sharing!

[dan]

Josie, I myself am a vet and I know many others. Though I served in peacetime and do not carry battle scars like others I know. The US govt. has broken so many promises to its wounded warriors to the point of being shameful. Thank you for your kind words. take care...dan

[Matching Socks]

It really is a sad reality and we are too quick to pass judgment on people whose stories we don't know but if we did would and should feel ashamed of ourselves.

[dan]

Ana, Thank you for stopping by. I've been dragging writer's block behind me for approx. 2 months.read moreAna, Thank you for stopping by. I've been dragging writer's block behind me for approx. 2 months.
As a vet myself this is a situation that touches me deeply. I didn't have any residual effects myself but I've heard enough horror stories of vets who need urgent help and don't receive it.
Thanks again for the read/review. take care...dan

[Matching Socks]

You're welcome Dan. It was my pleasure.

[Rafy T.Nym]

First of all, thanks a lot for sharing this fascinating creation. The simplicity, yet the significant meaning and metaphor. . .everything is praise worthy.

Indeed, I love the way you have constructed the poem based on a sad reality. No wonder, poems are great medium to express the odds of human life, showing the true shades of color, unveiling the hypocrisy.

The song 'Demons' by Imagine Dragons. . .a great song, isn't it? When I first listened to the song, it seemed to me only as another love song. But, when it was interpreted I recognized the deep meaning the song holds. The song accentuates your work perfectly. Great work! :)

[dan]

Rafy, Being a veteran myself (peace time, no residual effects), this piece holds special significance for me. I was in a VA Hospital briefly in early '90s and got to talk to some great guys from bygone wars. So the VA CAN so well for vets but some have to wait 6 mos. for an appointment. And ALL politicians say they support the vets but then vote against funding.
I appreciate your kind words about the piece, thanks so much. take care...dan

[MOON]

Sad, the state of the human race , not living up to responsibility or abandoning the vulnerable. Powerful and true.

[dan]

Thank you for your kind words and for your read/review. I will get to your page and review some of your work soon. Thanks for the visit. take care...dan

[JayceeC]

Sadly this is happening over and over. It has gotten progressively worse not better despite organizations like Wounded Warriors. Every soldier who fights for our country should be guaranteed support. Thanks you for writing this powerful piece that highlights their struggles.

Hope all is well with you and Dee my friend.

[dan]

Jan, As a veteran myself (peace time, no residual after-effects) the treatment (or lack thereof) of problems encountered by vets today is deplorable. For every vet that is helped by social programs there are probably 5 others for whom no help is available. Thank you for your concern.
Dee fell on our back porch last week and fractured a vertebra, she's hobbling badly. Add me and my bulging disc and we make a sad sight. But we live for each other and lean on each other and we'll always have that, so please don't feel sorry for us. We both hope you and Otto are always there for each other also. Again, thank you for your concern. take care...dan

[JayceeC]

Will say prayers for her recovery. We are hanging in there, gearing up for one more round with the second ankle in June. All of it just seems never ending, but yes, being there for each other is how you make it through...Hugs and love to you both.... jan.