Crazy Man Poem by Daniel Chapman

A man came at me the other day, mouth full of venom and views,
said he hated what I do, what I stand for—
Lord knows biting my tongue took strength I had to use.

I wondered why so many never step outside their own boots,
never crack a spine on history,
never read about these American roots.

The things people say—reckless, lazy, loud,
they never see the pride I carry
for the soldiers standing beside me now.

Out here where I'm at, it's simple—
we're all we've got.
Yeah, we know America back home supports us,
but out here?
Trust is all we've brought.

I wish that man could've seen what I've seen with my own eyes—
a little Iraqi boy holding a flower,
braver than most grown men twice his size.

He said, "Thank you, America, "
his English cracked, barely whole,
but gratitude needs no translation
when it's coming from the soul.

Because of us, that child gets daylight again,
gets laughter instead of sirens,
gets to play with his friends.

At my level, we ain't chasing medals or saving the globe—
we're just carving out a future
for some little girl, some little boy, some fragile hope.

So think twice before you step to me with ignorance and rage,
I fight for more than headlines,
more than talking points you read on a page.

Tonight, lay your head down, sleep calm, sleep tight,
because while you dream in peace,
American soldiers stand watch through the night.