In memory of all those who pledged their lives for our freedom, this beautiful poem says it all this Remembrance Day
The Veteran
Alone he sits, ‘midst the chaotic room
The children, the colours, breaking the gloom
Watching and waiting, reliving the fear
Thinking of those he once held near and dear
The hurt and the pain, so clear in his eye
It’s a challenge to breathe as he tries not to cry
Memories of the past as fresh as the day
Silently, quietly, he chooses to pray
Slowly the others begin to arrive
The “wheelchairs’, the “walkers”, some barely alive
Decked out in their finest, their medals aglow
What goes on in their heads, only they know
The piper begins his tearful refrain
The hymns of the past, all over again
The struggle to stand is too much for some
“Stay seated, be honoured, your work is done”
“Learn from our suffering, avoid future pain”
“Don’t let our losses be suffered in vain”
Love one another, let’s pray peace will come
Thank you dear Veteran, our freedom you won
– Mel Elliott, Canadian Poet