Up against a graffiti wall
A weathered man of meager means
Leans forward and in Southern drawl
Whispers insightfully without a scene
“I fought two wars across the globe
In lands so far and strange to me
Forged forward with the daily hope
My native country would surely be free”
“And now after my long sojourn
I see my country’s disarray
And mourn historic lessons not learned
To have democracy squandered away”
Hand extended and tears in line
He queries, “Have you change to spare
So I may live my borrowed time
Beneath the stars in nature’s care”
For in the end, we all are guests
On the borrowed time of nature’s behest
A VETERAN’S LAMENT – SYNOPSIS
My favorite charity has always been the paralyzed vets of America. These courageous people travel to faraway lands to defend the freedoms we hold so dear. Their return is often marred by physical and emotional scars, compounded by homelessness. Amid sorrowful tears that his efforts may be in vain, the homeless man extends his hand asking for change so he can live his life under the stars. It reminded me that time was a commodity under nature’s control. We are just guests.
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