Peace At Last
when the war was finally over they placed flowers
into the heated barrel of his battered cannon
gathered condolences and dropped poppies
upon unmarked graves and pompous shrines
he was a lucky one who escaped the inferno
scarred tired and weary of explosions in his mind
they pinned a few medals and ribbons onto his chest
held celebrations and parades and glowed in victory
lost in action and deprived of freedom many times
he never surrendered and followed mad orders
took a few lives for glory freedom and survival
now he was confined to a wheel chair of anger
a young veteran who gave all for his country
for insanity gods and industrial military complex
a shining example of the pursuit of delusion and greed
a hero hooked to the needle and food banks in return
youth spent at the frontline near hell’s entrance
a wife who divorced him while soldiering on
with kids ashamed of the cripple he was
he lingered on between hatred and pain
a bit late for brave conscientious objection
self-help books from charity to cover his wounds
the page of his life crumpled the dust jacket torn
he finished off where his innocent enemies had failed
a few comrades paid their respects from a distance
as there were no ramps for their mobility scooters
the priest’s words appeared hollow and out of order
but at least the coffin was soundproof and safe
08th July 2020
Copyright © Kai Michael Neumann | Year Posted 2020
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