Forgotten Hero.

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.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

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

[Paul Bell]

Plenty of those unsung heroes still out there, always remember how long after the Vietnam war it took for the guys to be respected instead of being vilified.

[sonnie ibadah]

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.

[Paul Bell]

Sad fact of life for the heroes who give their lives.

[FJ Davis]

Tragic.
This heroic ex-soldier had, unfortunately, been dead for a very long time.
He deserved far better.

[Paul Bell]

Definitely, break glass in the event of war.

[Rhayne]

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.

[Paul Bell]

We send men and women to war to free us, but when they bring back that blood, they're hidden away till needed again. When will we wake up. Probably never in our time.

[Fay Slimm]

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.

[Paul Bell]

They sure are forgotten when wars are done.

[Kesch (Finding Julia)]

strong write here, emotional and well written...

[Paul Bell]

Thanks Kesch.

[David Klay]

Sad and very true. A very strong write.

[Paul Bell]

Thanks david.

[Lyn Anderson]

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

[Paul Bell]

Definitely no medals when you're down and out.

[Robert Trakofler]

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

[Beccy]

'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.

[Paul Bell]

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

[Beccy]

They are indeed.

Doing Ok. Charlie and I are off to Fuerteventura on Saturday for three weeks; then it's down to Wales for recuperation of the spirit.

Have a lovely summer.

Beccy.

[Paul Bell]

Nice one, have a great time.