Tell Me Why?

I'm rarely angry, but this stirs it up to bubbling point

For those who volunteer to serve,

who willingly take up the cause

to keep us safe so you and I

can live in freedom, surely they

deserve applause and deep respect?

I can not help but question why

a veteran should meet his end,

alone and homeless, found on ground,

undignified, half covered by

rough shrubbery and undergrowth.

This island's wealth is mountain high,

gives generously to foreign aid

and some are paid excessively.

How can it be a man like Paul

who could have sacrificed his all.

is treated worse than fly tipped waste?

I do not hesitate to tell,

this pains me, leaves a sour taste.

What circumstances led to this?

His roofless death bed did not serve

him, in the manner he served us.

A callous, heartless passing place.

A sad disgrace our nation's shame.

Yet whom I ask will own the blame

and house our homeless veterans?

Reviews

[Neville]

I am with you all the way Chris .. it is, indeed, a crying shame & what makes it worse is that we are not alone .. It seems to be a so called civilised & compassionate first world countries almost customary way of responding to those who have by and large served their country during times of conflict, in effect disgracefully ........... Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you share my thoughts here Neville. The way we treat our vets is often pathetic. Left on the streets to die and without access to mental health facilities too. You know, they give their all and this is how they are repaid. I can't go past an anniversary on Facebook without paying my respects. Maybe because my Dad was in the army, I have the highest regard for those who sign up to protect us and the country I love. Big thank you for letting this old poem breathe again.

Chris

[Onlyme]

Well said, and sadly so true. They serve their country and get kicked to the kerb. And left to rot. For what. Nothing. We live in a country where they should admire and know these special human beings. Put their life on the line. To protect their country they love. And then their own country and people. Mistreat them and take away their dignity. Because they are callous and uncaring. And do not appreciate what they did for them all. I back you up on this one Chris. One hundred per cent.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dee. We are completely on the same wave length

[Onlyme]

Happy and greatful.

[Stella Armour]

I feel angry about this too, people can come here, be housed and give free food and warmth and to my certain knowledge make a living by dealing drugs to our young girls to get them into prostitution.

This country sucks to be honest and i am no longer proud to be British!

[Chris Shaw]

Strong feelings from you Stella and I have to say that all governments both past and present in the UK have not got their priorities right. Healthcare and housing are top priorities in my opinion and both need a huge amount of attention if there are to be no other similar instances. The situation re the homeless has to be sorted for veterans and non veterans. It is appalling in this day and age. Worse than Victorian times in some circumstances.

[Stella Armour]

yes... you have it right, healthcare and housing should be top priorities and if we stopped supporting other countries until we have our own house in order we would do better.

[Chris Shaw]

Some people that I have spoken to from overseas have told me that they had no idea that people were left to sleep on the streets. They were led to believe, literally that the streets of the UK were full of opportunity. i.e. paved with gold.

[Stella Armour]

I can well believe that Chris and that is how some of these people traffickers are making such a lot of money..

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, young women trafficked in to this country under the pretense that they have jobs waiting for them, as well as the grooming of youngsters born here for sex trade. So much for progress!

[Stella Armour]

Yes, dont know if you have read about the Rotherham sex scandal, it was going for years and the police ignored it until it was so bad the public exposed it. Near where i live..these men give our girls drugs for free until they are hooked and then pimp them out to other men in return for more drugs once they are addicted

[Chris Shaw]

It is so vile, and it is going on all over the UK. In every major town. It's not just Rotherham.

[Stella Armour]

Exactly and these men are treated better than our veteran soldiers, the ones who are homeless and left out in the cold..