ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

An Old Vets Christmas

He shuffles down a quiet darkened street,
alone, he always dreads this time of year,
cause locals, he just cannot bear to meet.
He eats collected scraps and drinks warm beer.

Now as the rain begins to softly fall
he crawls beneath a long deserted shop,
and hears the singing from the nearby hall
while all the time, he wishes, they would stop.

A flash sends goose bumps covering his skin
the sky now rumbles with a long deep tone,
then, brings back horrors hidden deep within,
again, he fronts the enemy alone.

Now mortars fall as with each lightning blast
he’s foetal in his cardboard box and prays,
and shaking as his heart is pounding fast,
arms wrapped around his head, he rocks and sways

He flinches and he moans with every burst,
relives the scenes held deep within his brain,
and wishes that the visions would disperse,
the sight of blown up bodies, still remain.

The rain’s like thunder on this roof of tin,
like non stop gunfire in a jungle dense.
He’s once again a soldier in the din,
where many boys, lost all their innocence.

The ‘war’ is easing as the thunder dies,
he now releases clasping hands from ears,
remembers politicians and their lies
and how so many died throughout those years.

He hears again the Christmas Carols clear,
his shaking starts now slowly to decrease,
while in the darkness, sheds a lonely tear,
and knows that only death can bring release.

He’ll fight no more this demon battle ground
as finally succumbed he starts to doze.
In time his lifeless body will be found.
This old mans story, scribes can now expose.


David J Delaney
21/12/2009 ©

Thought I would bring this to the top again, just seems appropriate at the moment.

Don't know how I missed this one before Dave. It is so, so sad. A timely reminder that Christmas isn't a happy time for everyone. It's also a reminder not to judge people by their appearance. There are real people with real stories behind the exteriors and facades.

Heather

Thank you Heather & Marty, appreciate your comments.

G/day David,
For some poor devils the wars never end do they - Have a good Christmas Mate.

Terry

Thank you Terry, so true mate, so true.

All the best to you & yours mate.

Agree Marty, Will said it well.

I wrote this after talking to the president of the Cairns RSL & he mentioned that in the 3 weeks leading up to Christmas 2009 he had 3 vietnam vets approach him for help as they were tired of living on the streets & tired of their nightmares, so, unfortunately there are still some out there.