Veteran
by David Palethorpe
When you see the veterans
sitting with friends—
or all alone—
quietly contemplating
what, in their life,
they have done…
You may find,
for good reason—
one they alone will know—
why they don’t want to talk,
why they just want
to be on their own.
They think about their lives.
How was it
that they survived?
Minds full of guilt,
thinking of the friends
who died at their sides.
They think about the fear
that gripped them by the throat.
They think of how they persevered,
until the fight was over—
and the battle won.
When you see a veteran
sitting, talking with their friends—
just let them be.
Be grateful.
And simply walk away.
They fought for the freedom
we enjoy
every single day.
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