A Patriot – Lost

A Patriot – Lost…

‘Twas not so very long ago
My father filled with pride
When I elected to enlist –
My services – provide.
I felt a duty deep within
To join in ‘our great cause’
But now my days are dark and gray –
For me, there’s no applause…
I’m sinking fast –
For I’ve been ‘caste’
In life – an amputee.
And unsurpassed –
You look right past
The person that is me…
I risked my life!
I lost my wife!
It cuts into me like a knife!

It all began one fateful night
Within the month of June –
While on a run I faced my maker,
Underneath the moon.
I carried secrets and supplies
To our most noble men;
I made them laugh with silly jokes –
A true comedian…
It came so quick –
With such a kick
It knocked me off me feet.
I laid there dazed –
Engulfed in haze;
Not able to retreat.
I shook my head
And filled with dread,
As others close around me, fled…

I tried to stand and get away –
My feet did not perform;
Such odd sensations they gave off –
They felt so strange and warm.
The darkness was forbidding –
My dear God!  What can’t I see?
No longer did I feel whole –
No longer was I me…
I felt below
Where legs should go –
But one of mine was gone;
Then shock set in –
I felt my shin
Beside me on the lawn…
Oh God!  The fright!
In black of night –
I begged – “Don’t let me die tonight!”…

I was so stunned – I felt my blood
Around me, all about; 
I had to keep my wits reigned in –
For I was bleeding out…
There wasn’t anybody else
That I could see or hear;
And then the clouds released the moon –
My horror was made clear…
I had to tie
My stump – or die;
My blood was going quick.
T’was not my time
To end my prime –
My God! I felt so sick.
I cried – I moaned;
I felt alone,
As I tied off my splintered bone…

Then blackness fell upon my mind –
Was I alive or dead?
Upon regaining consciousness
I lifted up my head.
I had been found and taken to
A  M.A.S H. – my life was spared.
This awfulness was over –
I was saved!  My country cared…
I was alive!
I did survive!
They came and got me out –
And better days
Were on their way –
Of this, I had no doubt…
I lost my limb –
It’s kind of grim –
But once again – I’d learn to swim…

They shipped me home and gave me help
For injuries incurred;
But then they left me in the lurch –
To be a flightless bird.
My job no longer fit the man
Whose body was defaced;
My country that I served so well –
Has left me in disgrace…
I have no job –
My country robbed
The person that I was…
I fought for them –
But now – condemn
They way they write our laws…
What we deploy –
We don’t employ –
And soldier’s lives – we thus destroy…

I thought my nightmare ended
When they rescued me that night.
I gave my all – now freedoms lost…
It’s here in black and white.
Our government won’t follow through
And help the ones that fell;
My days are filled with bills and pain –
My ‘freedom’s’ turned to hell…
And so through you
I will pursue –
And ask that you be fair.
A soldier’s strife –
Their worth in life –
The fact that we’re impaired...
You’re safe and free
By men like me –
We fight your wars!  Please hear our plea…