War Hero II

Two years ago I wrote this poem,
A few weeks ago I saw him again;
sitting on the same bench, this
time I had no chance to talk,
I was a passenger in a car.

Pity engulfed my insides as
I reminded my two young
daughters about the man we
once fed, a kind man whom
fought for our country and
no one is fighting for him.

He sat on a park bench
whistling to the tune of "Fixing To Die"
Standing in salute
proudly announces,"good morning"
Homeless at 0500, military time
the bugle sounds, ring his ears
His bunk is tidy, pants soiled
"Can I bring you anything when
I return" he answers, "yes please
a coke is fine"
"my canteen is due for a refill"
Blushing with embarrassment
head lowered to the ground
armour close beside him
I wondered what was inside.
On my return, I hand him a plate
filled with barbecue chicken
donated by a good friend
"Thank you, thank you"
with kindness and ashamed
sitting down gnawing on a
chicken leg
I begin a friendly chat
with this gentle man
"I saved a buddy from a mine"
his story begins
" I got a purple heart"
" the medal of honor"
" its kept right here in my bag"
with a want to be recognized
"my social security check is in
the mail"
"then I will be allright"
"is this where you stay
all the time" asked I
"Eviction was my landlords choice"
"in a shelter I refuse to die"
The army has not sent officers
on his behalf to rescue him
from his abandonment
"just got out of the hospital"
"had pneumonia"
"I feel better now"
These three things he spits out
the pigeons surround him
begging for crumbs
He leaves none, rations may
not come for a long time
Forgotten soldier, "whispers my mind"
I am saddened but not surprised

By. Vanessa Ramos

A true story