He Walks Around Town Poem by norman hale

He walks around town
with his head bowed low
As if he's ashamed
Of lifes fatal blow

He seldom speaks
Nor, does he have many friends
But society put him in a place
Now he'll have to pay in the end

He was sent to iraq
Just to kill his fellow man
Though it wasn't his fault
He was sent there by Uncle Sam

It came down to it
Kill or be killed
He shot a few to save a friend
He was never to be able to be thrilled

Some give him a glare
As if he's some maniac man
He just did what he had to do
Down deep, he's the same man

There are night he can't sleep
For the dreams and night mares
He still loves his country
There are a few who know he still cares

He came back to a love
That time had taken away from him
Cheated of that future
That he had so dreamed of way back when

He lives in a shelter
Because, he's pretty much given up
Wondering what tomorrow will bring
But, there's not much hope, for a whipped pup

He needs all of our prayers
The ones that we can affort to spare
Though some might say
He's not worth the time, why should we care

He never gave a second thought
When his commander gave him that gun
Now he can only wonder why
And now he cries at each setting sun

So if you see a soldier
Out slumping on some back street
Be sure to shake the soldiers hand
And always give him a friendly greet

written 10/8/12 by Norman Hale Jr