Fallen Heroes

Shoulders stooped…eyes downcast
Just a remnant of his past
One day there were  medals pinned
Standing straight and disciplined
Before his peers and singled out
A Hero they said, without a doubt!

Now he stands…shoulders stooped
A cardboard sign about his neck is looped
What price glory…what price fame
No one even remembers his name
Where is the hero of yesterday
Is this the price that he must pay?

Where is our gratitude…where is the thanks
For risking his life in planes and tanks
Even animals take care of their young
Now he lives, forgotten…unsung
Walking the streets, hungry…forlorn
Wishing he had never been born!

Where is the hero of yesterday
Is this the price that he must pay?
For shame America…land of the free
He risked his life for you and me
How quickly we are wont to say
Whenever we see him to our dismay
“Just another vagrant today”
And avert our eyes and go on our way!”

Where is the hero of yesterday
Is this the price that he must  pay?

Copright©2011  For Paula Swanson's contest - Do You Know The Cardboard Man?
(All rights reserved)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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A   Avatar
November 5, 2011 at 10:46 PM
B.B., ;-) CONGRATULATIONS, ON YOUR WIN~ Have a wonderful weekend, GOD BLESS,..p.d.
Sweetheart Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 5:10 PM
Congrats Beatrice on another fine win with this profound piece on the cardboard man luv..
Brown Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 7:34 AM
Congratulations on your win in Paula's "Do You Know The Cardboard Man" contest Beatrice. Love, Carol
Mehta Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 3:42 AM
Congratulations on the win with this lovely write, Beatrice
Smith Avatar
October 24, 2011 at 2:56 PM
When we need him, he's our hero. When we don't, he's a goat. He's a better man than many of us. Well writ.
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