John Lawless Poet Verse

Only Soldiers - For Contest

Only Soldiers


They are thanked for their service
by those who never served.
Commended for their bravery
by those who never donned
the colors of the country
the red, the white, the blue.

They are left alone with demons
that only they can name
seek the silent comfort
of those who know the same,
they limp alone in honor 
of the men they used to be
slowly turn invisible to
the people they keep free.

In silent nod and gesture
they salute in passing pain
bathed in thanks for service,
awash in tearless rain,
not heroes, only soldiers,
in the shadows without name.


11/10/2013

submitted to – Being Invisible – poetry contest
sponsor – SKAT A

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Andrea Dietrich May 1, 2016 at 8:47 PM I don't see how you deviated from any guidelines, John. It should do quite well Wish I had time to search for another poem of yours to see. As it is, I am way behind in comments and hubbie is expecting dinner on the table. YIKES

Constance La France May 1, 2016 at 8:54 AM John, oh this is breathtaking in its sadness and what makes it worse that it is true, in the USA and Canada it is a travesty that heroes in time are treated so unfairly and do become invisible, wonderful write for the contest, a winner to me, 7+++ ~ John Lawless May 1, 2016 at 2:38 PM Thanks BW, I appreciate your comment and high mark,

Andrea Dietrich April 30, 2016 at 6:10 PM wow, what a great poem, John. Those poor lonely soldiers! I expect to see this one top of the list. John Lawless May 1, 2016 at 2:37 PM Andrea, I don't think this will make the contest list of "winners" as I may have deviated from the guidelines.

Old Man Emu April 25, 2016 at 1:03 AM Great job John, sad but true. We have our remembrance day today (anzac day). Dear to Australian hearts. John Lawless May 1, 2016 at 2:34 PM Sadly, Craig, every country has memories of war's ugliness.

Dr. Upma A. Sharma April 24, 2016 at 11:18 PM True n perfectly beautiful John.. love ur way with words..Gl in contest! John Lawless May 1, 2016 at 2:34 PM Thanks Dr. Sharma

J. Tudor April 24, 2016 at 9:14 PM Thank you John, for bringing visibility to these men, and women. J. John Lawless May 1, 2016 at 2:33 PM Thank you for reading and commenting.

Jan Allison April 24, 2016 at 7:14 PM Oh John this touched me so deeply - so so sad to see how these amazing people are now treated.. I wrote a poem about veterans living out on the street and being invisible:-( hugs jan 7 and faves John Lawless May 1, 2016 at 2:33 PM Thanks Jan for the fav and the high mark. Too many of he wounds of war are "invisible"