• Author's Bio
  • Blog
  • Purchase Page
  • My Poems
  • Pictures
  • Contact
Author: John Colyer

Airborne Tattoo

5/10/2013

0 Comments

 
His hair and beard was dirty and gray,                                                     
and he smelled of cheap red wine;
ragged clothes hung on his skinny frame
as he begged for nickels and dimes.

He dropped his head as I passed by
and threw a glance his way;
that Airborne tattoo on his arm
didn't mean very much these days.

I paused a moment then turned around
and walked back to that old man,
and dropped a ten in that old cup
he held with a mangled hand.

I had to stoop down to look in his eyes
cause he would not raise his head;
the emptiness behind his eyes
revealed the shell of a walking dead.

He shook his head when I ask his name,
no words passed through his lips;
then I saw the scar across his neck
that a bayonet had split.

That Airborne tattoo was put on his arm
seventy-one years ago;
now it's just another scar
on a tarnished and tortured soul.

I raised my hand and gave a salute
and thanked him for what he done;
he bought my freedom before I was born
in the face of Nazi guns.

I dropped another ten in that old cup
then I turned away to go;
I caught a glimpse of pride in the eyes
of a worn out dying soul.

Fighting back the tears I walked away
from that dirty worn out bum;
wondering if anyone cares if he dies somewhere
in an alley alone and drunk?

Who really knows deep in his soul
the demons he has to fight;
and if that sweet red wine will ease his mind
when he lies down to sleep tonight?
jcc

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Archives

    September 2018
    July 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    August 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.