Heroes

He returned from Iraq a morsel of what he was

Paraplegic and helpless

He returned to Margaret

His wife of 13 years.

She bought a hospital bed

And bathed him daily

She gave him massages to help circulation

She cooked his special diet

She combed his hair and brushed his teeth

She brought the bed pan and urinal

She read stories to him from his favorite books

Lifted his head with pillows to watch television

And watched the shows he liked

Even Sunday football that she detested

 

She cut his fingernails and shaved him daily

She washed and ironed his sheets

Ever cautious of germs and infections

She cut his food in small portions

And fed him, each bite lifted to his lips

She religiously administered his medications

Each dose exactly on the prescribed hour

She turned him regularly in the bed

To avoid the danger of bed sores

She made daily efforts to make him laugh

And see some shadow of hope

And when he suddenly died in his sleep

He was given a military funeral with the great error

Of calling him the hero instead of her

Reviews

[Imagine Blade]

I'm a nurse and I can't help but sympathize how this woman feels.
It's hard to take care of a paralytic.

Hell.

It's hard to take care of any patient. More so if they have a debilitating condition like cancer, paralysis, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and even heart problems.

No, I am not saying that it's hard physically. It's hard to take in the emotions you feel because of the fact that you're just human yet you're forced to face life and death in the different walks of life.

I salute this read. I will share this to my nurse friends.

Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

[DrD]

Please do share it. Heroes are made of greater things than arms and chants of war.

[Circe]

a really inspiring piece on the devotion of a most loving woman... this is what love really is, being there when the other needs you the most, a very deserving tribute to her, amazing woman.

[DrD]

Thanks, Circe. I appreciate you.

[Michael G.]

A very well written poem, sir. Well done. Each and every Vet relates and appreciates these words. And I'm sure the families can, also. Well done.

[DrD]

Thank you, Michael. I'm a vet as well.

[Michael G.]

Welcome home, sir.

[Sir Jaykom]

Great point made. Some of today's heroes go unnoticed. Good way to bring attention to that through the heroic acts of a wounded soldier's wife.

[DrD]

Thank you for your visit and your kind words.

[RachelReaper]

this was very touching to me... I've had relatives in wars, and not all of them made it back.

[DrD]

Thanks for your visit, Rachel.

[Daniel Eckert]

I feel controversial about this. She was hero too but it feels to me you discredited what he did. While rather what he did overseas was right or wrong is arguable, he sacrificed himself for the belief it would help his country. To me that is heroic. While not running away and leaving him in his bed was also very heroic of her.

Either way you are a great poet. I enjoy your writings very much.

[KAOlmsted]

I actually told someone earlier (Elizabeth) that I believe it takes a considerable amount of strength to live with a soldier who has returned from combat, and I commended her on her strength...and, even though her Marine was physically unharmed, I wish I had the words to have said this to her...I see below she appreciated it. As do I. Thank you for posting this.

[Crazy Cat Man]

Great touching poem. She is a true hero by standing by her man.

[Samuel Dickens]

Well, I think there's room in this story for two heros, with one not necessarily more heroic than the other. People are different, with some capable of this kind of loyalty and some not. Thank God or lucky stars or whatever for those like this woman, who gives a face to "In sickness and in health".

[That_Girl]

This is absolutely exceptional, every word. I do agree with Marie though, they were both heroes, her reasons only more subtle than his. Incredible piece.

[Elizabeth]

This is exceptional... tears flowing. I know these women. They are just as brave as their men. Thank you for telling their story.

[DrD]

And thank you for reading it, Liz.