Forgotten Hero.

Forgotten Hero.

A Poem by Paul Bell

The guy went crackers in the war
Now he sells daffodils down  the old grave road
Sings songs about the dead
His daily bread
The kids throw stones
Shout out names
It’s a shame
Who can you blame
One day the kids were playing in the river
Tommy got into trouble, panic ensued
They ran to him in tears
He ran back with them, diving straight in
Tommy felt the strong arms lift him above the water
His friends pulled him onto the grass
I’ll go back for the rest he shouted
It was only Tommy
No, there’s always more
He swam out till lost from view
They talked about him for awhile
The usual words always came back
He went crackers in the war.

© 2019 Paul Bell


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I love your story in a poem, taken for all its literal meaning, crafted so powerfully & poignantly. But I'm also catching a bigger meaning to your allegory. Sometimes those who dive in to rescue others in life are the one's that end up succumbing from the experience themselves & then these unsung heroes are forgotten, or even blamed for their own demise. Often the people who dive in to rescue are the ones who needed a rescue & didn't get it, & they don't want others to suffer that lonely fate. This is a very heartwrenching, as well as heartwarming creation of yours! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 5 Years Ago


Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

Plenty of those unsung heroes still out there, always remember how long after the Vietnam war it too.. read more
A sad story of a forgotten sacrifice and misunderstood internal battles. A hero who got broken while trying to save others, yet all that they remember is how 'broken' he was.

Posted 5 Years Ago


Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

Sad fact of life for the heroes who give their lives.
Tragic.
This heroic ex-soldier had, unfortunately, been dead for a very long time.
He deserved far better.

Posted 5 Years Ago


Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

Definitely, break glass in the event of war.
Did his part for us in war, came home a Hero for nothing, lived in his mind where, in the past, he was somebody, until the day came that God was making a point to a few young enough to remember, that when they were older they would realize their wrongdoing toward their very own Hero. That same day, God gave that Hero his reward, his place in Heaven.

When will we wake up? Great piece, Mr. Bell.

Posted 5 Years Ago


Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

We send men and women to war to free us, but when they bring back that blood, they're hidden away ti.. read more
The losses of war infect minds and bodies as this well-written and poignant write makes clear - - forgotten indeed are many war heroes and lest we ourselves as poets forget your sad verse is a needed reminder to look around more Paul and notice if one such lives around our neck of the woods - - talk is cheap but actions speak much louder methinks - thanks a load for bringing Hero- Needs to our attention by poetic appeal.

Posted 5 Years Ago


Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

They sure are forgotten when wars are done.
strong write here, emotional and well written...

Posted 5 Years Ago


Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

Thanks Kesch.
Sad and very true. A very strong write.

Posted 5 Years Ago


Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

Thanks david.
there is more loss in war than death and property destruction -- loss that is more tragic because it isn't often seen as such.

Posted 5 Years Ago


Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

Definitely no medals when you're down and out.
I think that society is the thing that's going crackers these days brother. awesome expression and beautiful truth in this write Paul. After a friend kept pushing me I went to the local VA with my brother to play music for them. I was hesitant the first time thought they would think it corny but they loved it. So now we go a couple of times a year and play. I can spot them so quickly now that look in there eyes the look everyone wants to avoid we wince in shame as we pass them by on street corners and they wear it. I can go broke walking down the streets

Posted 5 Years Ago


'Lest we forget,' never more poignantly highlighted than in these lines.

Our modern day so-called leaders should read this lesson in genuine sacrifice and heroism; not that it would make a whit of difference to the way they behave.

Beccy.

Posted 5 Years Ago


Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

Our modern leaders are just a shady load of chancers. How you doing, Beccy.
Beccy

5 Years Ago

They are indeed.

Doing Ok. Charlie and I are off to Fuerteventura on Saturday for th.. read more
Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

Nice one, have a great time.

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Added on July 26, 2019
Last Updated on August 24, 2019

Author

Paul Bell
Paul Bell

About
I like poetry and stories that tell me something. Sometimes the shortest poems hit the hardest. If I post something serious, don't worry, a funny poem will follow. Don't hesitate to tell me if my po.. more..

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