Fearless Poem by Bryan Taplits

The war it came solicitous
And in it I was a fool
Remembering, I see myself
A skinny, sweaty tool.
The medals from that day I've saved
And not many know my parlor,
For I have kept it pinned inside
Beside my foolish valor.

Today, many years advanced
I wear a crutch and not my pin,
I cross the street
and a car swerves-
Its driver honks and bleats.
But foolish man that I've become
I charge another street-
Foolishly and unadorned
I glance-and then repeat.