What My Mom Can't See Poem by Buddy Bee Anthony

I once was a young man
who life dealt a bad hand
and I've been knocked down to my knees
You've seen me in soup lines
I've fallen on hard times
I'm glad my mom can't see me
I sell my pop cans and plasma
scarred up and battered
I ache from this life that I lead
I get my meds from free clinics.
I'm warring with cynics.
I pop some of those now
and toke some of these.
I got a dog for affection
and sometimes protection
she's there through the night
as I scream.
And, I'm lookin' for a way out.
Might take that jump off
the high bridge route
Maybe then I could get some peaceful release.
Cuz, these town folk harass me
They all grimace as they pass me
They have their opinion about me
and it's free
I served proudly,
so boldly
but who could've told me
'bout the things
they ordered me to do
I killed men
I killed women
even some children
while wavin' the red,
the white, over blue.
Now, these wars 'bout destroyed me
My country ignores me
What I wouldn't do
for some peace and some heat.
And, my heart is abandon
I sleep where I'm standin'
I'm glad my mom can't see me.

I'm drunk,
and I'm dirty
I'm hungry and worried
I die every night in my dreams.
Now it's barrooms and alleys
no peaks
only valleys
I'm glad my mom can't see me.

You see,
I once was a young man
who life dealt a bad hand
and I've been knocked down
to my knees
You've seen me in soup lines
I've fallen on hard times
I'm glad my mom can't see me.
I'm just glad for what my momma
can't see.


Vincent Johnson
&
Buddy Bee Anthony

Re-edited 03/06/2023 @8: 34 PM Pacific Standard Time