Charity
>>>>>>CHARITY<<<<<<
As you pull into the lot
A man is standing there
“Get A Job” is your first thought
And wash that greasy hair
You just want to brush on by
Ignore his vacant stare
If you knew, what, when, and why
You just might have to care
Take his coat, so old an worn
You cannot tell it’s green
Stained and filthy, pocket torn
Far better days it’s seen
Called to war, to keep us free
When he was still a teen
Fought for us, for you, for me
As a U.S. Marine
Stopping Hitlers “Master Race”
He earned a silver star
Look more closely at his face
It’s how he got that scar
His old shirt, was once, brand new
A gift from his young wife
Like his eyes, it was bright blue
Both faded late in life
Raised two kids, he owned a house
How could he sink this low?
Lost his son, somewhere near Laos
Just how? He’ll never know
Walked his “Princess” down the isle
And gave her hand away
Stood there crying, with a smile
Twelve years ago last may
Down the street, that very night
A drunk would end her life
Going 90, ran a light
Somethings no dad can fight!
Still he laced those high top boots
And earned more then his pay
Then some new kid, with two bad suits
Said, “This Is Your Last Day”,
There is more you still don’t know
So much you still can’t see
But, for the grace of god we go
This could be you or me
Two years later, watched his bride
The cancer finally won
Sitting helpless at her side
When nothing could be done
Now he stands out in the rain
Far from the life he’d planned
Nothing left except his pain
He says, “Please,Lend a Hand”
Do you let a good man die?
Just look the other way
Knowing when and where and why
What do you do? And say?
Kenneth Gentry
Copyright © Kenneth Gentry | Year Posted 2013
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