Change

Dirty and disheveled

No shoes on his feet

Tired and famished

No food to eat

His pockets empty

His last penny spent

All that remains

A hole and some lint

All he owns in a basket

A box for a bed

A story written in a notebook

This is what it read:

"I was sixteen when I left

Nearly twenty two when I returned

My left arm completely gone

My right severely burned

I wasn't just a boy

I was so much more

I was a soldier

An asset to a war

I gave my all

I nearly gave my life

I survived the struggle

Now I struggle to survive

I was dealt a bad hand

The system had four aces

I went all in

And came out among the faceless faces"

As I finished reading

I thought it somewhat strange

For all that I owe this man

Why does he only ask for change?

Reviews

[Trace]

It is so sad that so many return vets and hero's end up on the street.
your last two lines were very powerful.

My older brother served in the Marines during Vietnam and I served in the army during a short period of peace this country has seen.

I thank you for this wonderful, thought provoking poem.
Well done.

Trace

[Rita L. Sev]

Such truth in this. A simple, well-crafted piece, that made me nod in agreement. Thanks for sharing.

[beautiful dreamer]

beautiful write!

[Joanna Johnson]

Wow! That is sooooo powerful! That a totally deep, thought provoking! Excellent.

[VALORMORE DE PLUME]

Nice wake-up call. Love the cover pic & sign. Inspiring write. Thank you for sharing.

[paperdaydreams]

love this poem and the story it tells

[Renée]

Beautifully written ! Just Beautiful..then last line is perfection !

[h d e rushin]

this poem I find indispensably vital to the way we (americans) deal with our
veterans. Sadly, it is by far easier to deal with our dead war veterans because then
we can write and sing songs, lay reefs and romanticize their battlefields.
But what war robs from the living veteran is that which is lying immediately
behind the withers. Sometimes homelessness is a choice. Sometimes it is a
protest against long standing systems.

good work and a tender treatment, reminding us that the opposite of homelessness
is not living in a home....dana

[kublakhan27]

Very poignant and thought-provoking...great work.

[Jack...]

Now this was so very cool. Very cool indeed. You have displayed a vision that goes beyond the surface and digs deep for an answer. Nice.