Veteran Returns

There once was a boy,who went to war, to fight for his country, to even the score. Fresh out of high school to learn a life craft, his life was diverted, caused by the draft. He did all his training to serve at his best, he was sent overseas, to fight with the rest. An MP dog handler he turned out to be, to guard troop base's, to fight the VC. The dogs name was Rex, so brave and so strong, together on duty Charlie could do no wrong. Neither rockets nor bullets could stop these brave boys, nights silent blackness and flares were their toys. From base camp to base camp they they offered to go, from Saigon to Thay Ninh, to DaNang, they would show. In rain and fire one night he got hurt, broken of bone and face in the dirt. They sent him home damaged, unable to cope, this home is now strange and offers no hope. The hole in his spirit, the comrades he left, the task was unfinished, a weight he must heft. His workplace won't take him because he's still hurt, the country hates veterans, they treat him like dirt. To old friends he's changed, they like him no more, he's filled with the days trying to even the score. If he's to fit in, he'll hide it away, never to think or talk of the day. Hide it away and send it with him, hoping in time the memories may dim.