I was once a Man, proud and strong a future ahead and a past I was not afraid to speak of. Now I am a thing, my humanity gone, nobody sees me anymore. They see the rags, they see the fag burns, the bruises from the Saturday night beatings.1
I once had a name, once had a uniform. once had rank and status. I served my Queen, fought in her wars. I loved my nation, loved my people, loved my life. I fought and bled, saw friends die, held them in my arms as they cried out for their Mother.2
But I did my time and was no longer wanted, no longer needed. They discharged me from the service, with my medals and my uniform. I tried to get a job, they asked me what skills I had. Not much work for trained killers, few wars to fight in the cities and towns of my home.3
All I had left where my scars and my medals. No home, no family, no hope. Falling into a bottle, falling into drugs, anything to hide the pain. They took my life away at 16, gave me a new one, a soldier of the Queen's army. They forgot to give me my old life back when they cast me aside. 4
Mow I sit on my bench, covered in an old blanket and watch across the street. As the young Men walk into the recruitment office and I remember.5
Sometimes I look at my medals, all that is left to me, sometimes I just cry.6
Author notes
Wolfpoet, green, 110.
My take is that the person is an old soldier. Having done his time he went into civilian life with no skills and no education. Ended up on the streets.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
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This was a short story but I've seen shorter. Shorter can always be better don't forget
Also I love how you said "Saturday night beatings" you made it sound like you were use to the beatings. very good job.
thanks for entering! -
Great write. One of those things that way too many people can relate to on a personal basis. Forgotten heroes, forgotten for any number of reasons, but forgotten none the less...
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A grim reminder of how the elderly and the veterans who fought for our country are sadly forgotten in todays society. Great piece of Work!
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I read this, but for some reason--I didn't comment (???). I like your take on this. I also liked some of the imagery and word choices in this... Flowed nicely. I felt really sad--so good job with those emotions. Nice work.
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"War" ... what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!" Uh huh. ..But then there is a season for all things.. a time to fight! Wolf, this write so inspires and teaches us to not forget the road that was paved ahead for each of us..in the lives that were given.....sacrificed......or yet living and reliving...remembering, when others are all but forgetting the cost....and pay so little in ways of thankfulness and honor. Some of "the bums" are just some of the Ones.... that won
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