Veterans Service Day Pies and Pets

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there is some rhyming but not traditional,

Its an old building of spires and dirty stucco 
 on Wednesdays filled with men 
 some in worn and dirty clothes that have not seen
 a washing machine for weeks or more,
 others keep blue, white shirts and clean jeans
 they come starting at 9, a social worker
 nurse, and the women cooking for the day
 the smell of beef and cabbage, breads and broth
 pies and cakes, apples and oranges,
 brought by old veterans and widows 
 with families and homes who run the pantry  
 cans of fruit, vegetables, and spam 
 bags and boxes donated worn clothes old shoes

 I see old friends who live with cold nights 
 and rainy days,   living under bridges, in alley ways
 men who have fought wars — the elderly men
 in Viet Nam, the young in middle eastern lands

 They are injured these men some need the medicine
 of  cheap wine some heroin or Norco for the pain 
 they have fought those wars, seen friends die,
 seen their rifles  draw blood
 seen a man’s eyes loose the brightness of life
 there is a display of pride with each other 
 there are no unfriended here 
 in this place they talk and share  
 
 There in that grey mist and light
 I bring them pet food, leashes and cans,
 samples easy to put into a backpack
 I bring them something to help their
 warmest unjudgmental wet nose friend, 
 wagging tails a soft snuggle in the night
 I have seen them give their pet all that
 they can, working jobs no one else takes 
 saving for the help to pay a kind vet 
 I have seen them give a vaccine to their dog 
 before their get their own
 pets of the homeless a reminder that with
 all the cruelty and harshness in the world
 there are people that bring warm light 
 and kindness during the darkness of nights

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Robert L. Hinshaw

Date: 8/20/2019 4:44:00 PM

A very insightful write depicting the sad plight of too many of our people. Well said! Thank you so much for your kind comment re The Ocean Calls Me. Best to you as you continue your poetical journey - Bob