The Wise They Are Born Poem by Francis Duggan

The wise they are born for they cannot be made
And you can't teach the old dogs the tricks of their trade
And it seem sad to think you need not travel far
For to find one of seventy who glorifies war
Though nothing in life ever does seem to last
Some never do learn from the mistakes of the past
Our ancestors talk back to us from the grave
And they tell us the noble are those who die brave,
No fool like an old fool to some does apply
And the worst things of life they seem to glorify
For the long dead war heroes the last post is played
And to honour their sacrifice there is a parade
Where old war veterans march on their coats they display
Their medals for bravery from wars far away.