The Veteran

The Veteran

He sits alone on sunlit porch
Because he walks no more
With wrinkled face and twisted joints
His body tired and sore

While younger folks just walk on by
Without a backward thought
For who he is and what he's done
Or battles he has fought

But was the time quite long ago
He stormed contested shore
And steered a bomber five miles up
A warrior gone to war

His eyes were clear, his stride was sure
His courage sharp and bright
For freedoms cause he ventured forth
To wage the righteous fight

Those friends who fell forever young
The ones who did their part
Alive and well in memories vale
Still live within his heart

But that was then and this is now
He's old and almost gone
It's all been told in history books
The war he fought was won

So rheumy eyed he sits alone
With an old man's wistful grin
For he knows within his warrior's heart
He'd do it all again