In Death's Shadow Poem by Joseph Blitch

Twenty years of fighting now behind;
Back on home soil; Better life to find.
Escorting on return a blue bark coffin;
For in last battle; Died my best friend.

Although I returned torn and battered;
Being alive is all that really mattered.
The body of my friend I happily bore;
Insensitive activists created a new sore.

Disgusting insults; instead of a parade;
Who really cares about sacrifices made?
Why did I sacrifice my youthful life?
Not for petty political feuds and strife!

With severe pain I hobble; yet I do walk;
Tear's swell up as about past life I talk.
In death's shadow; for freedom I fought;
What a price paid; Was it all for naught?

Although healthy and alive I may appear;
My mind's torn apart by war's silent spear;
As daily my being is ripped at it's seams;
For war's horrors are relived in my dreams!