AND THE ANGELS CRIED

He put his all on the line 
in the Vietnam war.
Many comrades perished 
in the heat of battle.
His wife declared him legally dead.
since he had been missing 
for just over seven years.
His family moved on, 
getting a new husband and father.
No one was there to greet him
when he stepped on American soil.
He found strangers living in his house.
With no money,
the streets became his home. 
His belongings consisted of
the clothes on his back,
and his dog tags.
His survival depended 
on food from garbage bins. 
He slept under a bridge 
at night in inclement weather.
Warmer nights were spent
on a bench in the park.
No one was there to help him 
through his hellish flashbacks,
and the angels cried.

No thanks were given him 
for his service because of 
the unpopularity of this war.
He felt so alone, 
abandoned and betrayed, 
by his country he loved so much.
People walked by, 
looking at him with such disdain, 
not even trying to understand
how he wound up 
as a homeless man.
Every time someone passed by, 
he was often seen smiling, 
blue eyes sparkling, 
saying, "May the good Lord 
bless and keep you today 
and always!"
Most moved to the 
other side of the street 
to avoid the stench 
of his unwashed body.
No hot meal, warm drink in winter, 
nor a cold one in summer 
was offered even once.
They just walked right by, 
as if he were invisible,
and the angels cried.

God watched with great sadness, 
as those He had blessed 
ignored His child in need.
He told the angels 
that it was time to bring 
this brave warrior home.
They welcomed the old soldier 
into Heaven with a celebration 
fit for a king.
He humbly bowed, 
openly weeping 
in front of his Master, 
thanking Him for the 
gift of eternal life.
Jesus said, "Well done 
thou good and faithful 
servant!  Welcome Home, 
and the angels smiled.

 

© 2015 Suzanna Jayne Mullins

 

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Great wisdom shared. We never know what a man or woman had suffered and known.
"Jesus said, "Well done
thou good and faithful
servant! Welcome Home,
and the angels smiled."
Best wisdom given to me by wise Grandfather. Listen, listen and don't condemn. The world is hard enough for some people. Some people need a friend with concern, kind words and a friend. Thank you Suzanna. You are my muse for this night. You are a amazing writer and storyteller.
Coyote

[SJ Mullins]

Thank you, darlin'. You just made my night with your kind words. Sounds like you have a very wise grandfather. I am always my own worst critic. Just the one piece I have read of yours was very moving. I look forward to reading more of your beautiful words.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are very good. Real life and hard times. Teach us to appreciate the good days and be kind. You are welcome.

[SJ Mullins]

You are very kind.

[barleygirl]

This is a great story in a poem! You start with the guy coming home from Vietnam to face so many tough life issues . . . then you take us to the plight of homelessness where people rarely stop to wonder how this person ended up here . . . and then taking us inside God's head and how He wanted this to be different . . . and finally the ending which makes it all worthwhile. It's rare to tell such a far-reaching story in a poem & still have the pacing nicely brisk & without any long-or-drawn-out-boring parts!

[SJ Mullins]

Thanks so much for your wonderful review. I always appreciate your honesty.