Terry Ireland | + Follow Poet |
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In Service Done

He’s a young old man as he
Shambles down the street
With his thousand yard stare so
His eyes and yours seldom meet.
Some times he’s sober
Sometimes he’s not
Sometimes it depends on
How much money he’s got.

And he tries to keep smart,
Keep a shine on his shoes
And he fights like hell
To keep off the booze.
And his bottomless eyes 
Hide the things that he’s seen
In service of his country,
In service of his Queen.

Respected in his regiment
He knows not to expect
Consideration for his rank
Or much civilian respect.
Just an old soldier
Ruined by his trade
Wracked in despair by some
Of the calls that he’s made.
 
And you walk in freedom
Because of him and his kind
While he’s on the scrap heap,
Guilt and despair on his mind.
Trained to obey and
If necessary to kill,
In civilian life 
Not a transferable skill.

Spare him a thought
The next time he walks by:
There but for fortune
Could have walked you or I.
A young old man wracked
By what he’s done and seen
In the service of his country,
In the service of his Queen.

Copyright © Terry Ireland | Year Posted 2023

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Hat Bueckert Date: 4/5/2023 7:14:00 PM Sad tale and all too common. Powerful writing here for a well worthy cause that could use more compassion in this world Login to Reply Terry Ireland Date: 4/6/2023 12:32:00 AM Thanks Hat. Like all mental illness we need more help and understanding

Speaks Volumes Date: 4/5/2023 6:20:00 PM So many come home with invisible scars. No pity little empathy, they must live with what they have been through, back to civilian life , now everything is normal just carry on as before, but to so many before is gone, yesterday lives inside them and tomorrow? who knows. Some manage to silence the Demons keeping them deep down inside and some don't. Well presented Terry Login to Reply Terry Ireland Date: 4/6/2023 12:32:00 AM The trouble with PTSD, whatever the cause, it can take unto 10 years to show which is why it can be so difficult to diagnose. Thanks Wen.

Daniel Turner Date: 4/5/2023 7:36:00 AM Well written, Terry. Our country does a terrible job with our vets too. We literally owe them more than we can repay, so we simply stop making payments. I think you are a hero for helping them. Much respect to you, sir. Login to Reply Terry Ireland Date: 4/5/2023 8:31:00 AM I know the situation Daniel. 5 or 6 years ago I was working with the sister of a disabled Vietnam Vet. She was telling me the VA was having its funding cut. Not a hero Daniel, though thanks for that. Its our motto Veterans Helping Veterans because nobody else cam really understand.