Mrs. Yolanda Nicholsen Poet Dramatic Verse

The Veteran

I watched him 
shake although 
he was fearless
watching old 
war movies

falling to sleep 
on western films 
in his slumped 
over recliner
I studied him
 
as he opened 
sardine cans as if 
they were c rations
he fascinated me 
as we struggled
 
with his support socks 
due to his legs 
swelling up so badly
he never complained
paralyzed in one arm
 
if you asked him 
how he was feeling 
he'd quickly respond 
fantastic I'm fantastic
even when he didn't
 
seem fantastic rattling 
on his walking stick
he closed himself
off from the world
there was only

one photo hanging
sideways on his wall
it read purple heart
recipient Vietnam
this fragile man 

with eyes of a stealth
bomber wasn't just my 
dad, husband, neighbor 
or friend he was 
My American Hero

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Rico Leffanta November 11, 2020 at 10:51 AM Another "Loser" who made it home albeit not in one peace. Aloha! Rico Mrs. Yolanda Nicholsen November 12, 2020 at 1:12 PM Thank you so much for your warm comments God Bless America. Rico Leffanta November 12, 2020 at 11:15 AM There is a monument in Newton Saint Faiths honouring a woman whose husband and all nine sons died for King and Country in far-flung corners of the British Empire; she was the heroine. Aloha! Rico Mrs. Yolanda Nicholsen November 11, 2020 at 11:26 AM Thanks for your warm comment Everyone can't be a hero.