To the drum.
Dressed as a pauper.
looks like a thief.
Pushing the boundaries
Of your disbelief.
The raggedy man
in raggedy pants.
Arguing loudly
incoherent rants.
Stares covered in shame
Thinking of different
things to blame.
Don’t talk to him
he’s only a tramp.
Stay away from
his miserable stance.
Heap your scorn
on his shambling form.
Never minding why
he’s so forlorn.
But try to expand
your closed off mind.
Try to see someone
don’t be so blind.
Cause I’ll tell you about
One that I’ve often seen.
Was one of our proudest
Royal Marines.
And blown up and battered
when he came back.
Visions and horrors
stacked upon stack.
He did a lot for
our union jack.
Although he say’s
with true modesty,
It was all for me mates
on that front line with me.
So next time
You flinch at a
Shambling spectre,
Spare a thought,
about what you
think you might know.
Instead of planning
how to pass go.
You might want to see
a little bit beyond his poor facade.
One time this lad held a rank
in a fighting Brigade.
You might need to go over
and you might need to thank.
The lad in the doorway.
Looking so dank.
Dwell upon him if you can,
Who went off as a boy
and came back home
this damaged old man.
Various
Sun 22nd May 2016 20:15
Yes they are David, i'd been listening to Bob and he set my mind off in that direction.... seemed appropriate to homage him. I'm glad you noticed.
We have a great new project here in Hull... called "Homes for Heroes" and people volunteer their skills and renovate a property which is then rented to Vet families who are struggling.
Sadly the worse of our sufferers choose to be on the street with all it risks.
When I was in Kiwi we had a guy, Vietnam vet, who disappeared into the bush and lived in a bunker for a month every time a chopper passed over... happily bonkers though. Of course people forget the risk increases with age but not the suffering.
I'm glad your compassion is about us!