The Old Soldier

 

The picture stared down at the old man

Good times, friends for life

The decomposing body was in its second year now

The dust and webs had cloaked him like a blanket

Giving him comfort that life denied him

Time ago, they would have classed him as a hero, time ago

The black van took him away

Eventually releasing the body for burning

The prayers were brief

His final epitaph came when the council cleared the house

The picture was the last to go in the skip

Glancing at it, the worker remarked to his colleague

Old soldier.

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Powerfully sad scene you depict with your words here, Paul. We used to revere veterans...we used to take care of them when they returned from the war. When a veteran dies and his ashes are all that remain, who will remember him? Perhaps his children, but what of the grandchildren who will never know him? Very sad indeed. Lydi**

[Paul Bell]

Yeah, the real war begins when they come home.

[Cryingkate]

I've been thinking lately about how hard I try to preserve the Family members memory whom have recently passed and then I wonder why in vain. We are all forgotten in only 3-4 generations anyway.... What's the sense in it? I wonder if it's all in vain. Many work so hard to leave a memory. But what for and at what cost? All the time spent could of been spent in a better way? But What Way: I ask?

[Paul Bell]

I just think it's the fast pace of life now. We seem to live and die now, nothing inbetween.

[Cryingkate]

Yes agree, I think we really need to see what were doing wrong as a whole. Our Reality and Social design is all out of whack. We are not living the quality life on earth as we should be. Something is very wrong.

[Valentine]

When my husband died I was so upset I forgot to have the military at his funeral, I still feel bad about that. Valentine

[Gee]

That's sad. Long forgotten his heroics long since seen relatives or friends. My stepdad (after being divorced from my mum) died alone and wasn't found for a week. No tears for him though? a prick of the highest order

[Paul Bell]

Thanks Gee. That sort of cheers up my Monday. Not many at that funeral then.

[Gee]

Only those with spittle to spare, what an arse

[Paul Bell]

On the plus side. You would go just to make sure he was dead.

[Lyn Anderson]

Sad, the forgotten -- I wonder, if there is nothing after, it is a relief, but does the soul linger and remember? Anyhow, you have my mind wandering with this piece.

[Paul Bell]

A wandering mind. Dangerous trait in a woman.
How you doing.