A River Runs Red

The plight of destitute veterans is paid lip service on the news...a lot of them have been abandoned by the government. >Like this one....

A River Runs Red

 

A broken veteran limps on two

steel rods with metal feet stapled on,

marching down to the river to dip a

fake toe into healing water(?)

 

The veteran is forgotten now,

medals earned now rusting in bureau drawers;

they are not worn to the river

or rehabilitation…

Passers-by shake their heads (what a shame)

but don’t look at the face,

only the appliances shining brightly

as a career once did.

 

The faceless veteran staggers, drunk

and hollow

to a home that is an uncaring

witness to pain so blinding…

steaming like piss holes in snow.

 

The veteran returns once more

to the river, now

running red…a tear

is shed to mix with

the frothy water

unnoticed.

 

dan © 2016

 

Music: “Demons,” by Imagine Dragons

 

Author's Note

Reviews

[Bacchus]

Stunning portrait of how a veteran suffers
the most.
well done. this is noticed and heard.

[dan]

Bacchus, Thanks so much for your kind words. I had an ex brother-in-law, a 'Nam vet who suffered from PTSD and eventually killed himself. That was about 35 years ago and it really opened my eyes to vets' mistreatment. A very sad indictment of the govt's uncaring mindset.
Thanks again. take care...dan

[mattavelli]

Hey, Dan, we've got an election coming this year. We've heard nonsense about free money, a border deflector shield, what "Jesus" wants for us, blah blah... politicians are making great sweeping claims. For me, your poem is a needle to pop the inflated partisan ego of our government. Our system has failed. Truth and reality have become "interesting" aspects of a situation, easily spun away. We, the people are getting less and less for our tax money.

[dan]

The candidates do the obligatory photo op with WWII vets, all smiles...just hoping vets will be appeased and throw a vote their way. But so many vets can't even vote, they have no 'home' address! As a vet myself (peace time) this almost sickens me. I had a brother-in-law from my first marriage who was a Viet Nam vet; he committed suicide and inspired this write.
Thanks so much for your insightful review. take care...dan

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the demons relentlessly attack the veteran and he gets no rest, although he deserves rest, attention and honor for his service...unfortunately veterans are scorned so often...even though we might hate war, the soldiers sacrifice for their country...and should be embraced.

[dan]

I had a brother-in-law, a Viet Nam vet, who eventually committed suicide; his suffering inspired this write. As a vet myself, serving through peace time, who did not suffer any of the country's indignities I cannot get a true understanding of other vets' plight, but it still stings to think of it. Thanks so much for your insightful review. take care...dan

[Nisreen]

Unfortunately the people who have given up so much for everyone to live well
are seldom given the respect and love they deserve
Whether it is in the form of healthcare, or recovery

I guess too many countries experience this
and i must say this is quite a write

[dan]

My brother-in-law from my first marriage was a Viet Nam vet suffered PTSD (they didn't call it that back then) and came back addicted to heroin; he was never the same as before and eventually committed suicide. That still sticks with me 35 years later.
This happened to vets of other wars too but was just called shell shock or other innocuous names. A lot of suffering with no treatment. One of the US' glaring omissions in treatment of vets. Thank you for your read/review. take care...dan