the invisible man

the invisible man….6.5.2012

 

 

　

the invisible man

                          soldiers on,

not knowing the war

                                is over.

his body feels the pain

                                   still.

it knows the noise of war

                                      on the floor,

                                run for the door.

 

he can’t talk.

he is mute

               for another 60 years.

                                   no tears,

                  just awful fears.

no voice.

 

this is killing him,

                          slowly,

                                  like torture,

only torture ends.

                    this never will.

 

he is a true fighter

but has no medals,

no gold card,

no recognition.

 

he still fights on.

he knows nothing else.

 

he lost his youth.

it was stolen

                   by the government

                   who betrayed their boys,

sent them to bloody war,

and then betrayed them again

when they came

limping home,

                     bruised and torn.

 

his brains blown out,

his body destroyed,

                               he learned to start again

in this civilian life,

                             living in his war zone.

 

and now his body ages

       and screams in pain.

his mind is sharp and bright

except

when it’s left his body

to wander in the dark.

 

he can’t always remember,

but his body always knows.

 

and so it goes

                     and goes.

 

he gave so much

and got so little

yet still the loyalty is pure.

 

he can’t speak,

and never would.

that oath was sworn

with his own life blood.

Reviews

[rosemary keogh]

This is quite touching. Amazing job

[Distant horizons]

Beautifully written. A wonderful tribute to all who serve.