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