Strange

War can be a terrible thing, but the aftermath, can be even more so. please R&R

A man, wrinkled and old
Was sitting on a corner, begging by the grange
Wrapped in threadbare blanket shivering in the cold
Isn’t that strange?

The man had fought in three tours in Iraq
The man had fought for a change
Yet here he was, sitting on the freeway block
Isn’t that strange?

The man worked hard and bleed
When he worked the soil on a range
just trying to make, ends meet, just earning his bread
Isn’t that strange?

The man had honored his country, staying by his flag and paid his fair share of tax
He had seen friends pass and good folk go on and politics mix and interchange
Now, a new time has come, and he is too hurt to work and gets the axe
Warrior, worker american man, isn’t that strange?                         

Author's Note

I see many on the streets here in my hometown of Oregon and wonder how many had served us oversees and now go unrewarded for their service. Please R&R

Reviews

[dan]

I am so in tune with the plight of injured vets and the obstacles they face daily. I just wrote a piece called "A River Runs Red," a wake-up call for those who assume returning vets get the treatment they were promised upon enlistment. Thank you for sounding the wind of awakening. take care...dan

[Coyote Poetry]

I see what you wrote daily.
"The man had honored his country, staying by his flag and paid his fair share of tax
He had seen friends pass and good folk go on and politics mix and interchange
Now, a new time has come, and he is too hurt to work and gets the axe
Warrior, worker american man, isn’t that strange? "
War take a lot and than the men are left alone to fix their problems. Most can't. Thank you for sharing the powerful poetry.
Coyote

[θεά]

I really appreciate the tone of this poem, hard-hitting, riveting and incisive. Brilliant work, Oregon123. I am really warming up to your style. It's different and unaligned to any set style. Keep innovating, and blaze your own trail ahead.

Best,
M.

[Benita Paloja]

I came to America from a war, so I envisioned myself back then while reading this. You did a great job, I really was able to capture the feeling behind this. Thanks for sharing.