Slow Pokes

SLOW POKES by JOHN M. ARRIBAS A gut wrenching sight I witnessed this morn A tragic encounter that left me forlorn I saw stumbling wrecks of what was strong Bent over and lame not much time to prolong They are seniors that once were young There bodies and minds becoming undone All at the mercy of changing days Slow to react in so many ways Time moves fast and they move slow Most marking time with no place to go These are the folks who in previous days Shouldered the weapons, made incredible plays Its hard to accept its just history now She was a riveter, he honored his vow He piloted a fortress over enemy skies She sang and danced for a thousand GIs His fingers froze at place called Chosin She tended his wounds without and within He spent a thousand nights as a guest of Hanoi She packed supplies for search and destroy These are the stalwarts we’re all about They did their duty with a winning shout They’re now suspended in the twilight phase They keep on serving til the end of their days It’s a blessing to come from heroes like these They still say” thank you” and” excuse me please” Times have changed but they remain loyal and true Their courage and fidelity made it easy for me and you So have patience for these slow women and men Cause its an honor to be in the company of them