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The Backroads |
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Now the backroads are
the roads
that carried yesterday's
loads.
At times the backroads
are lonely
for there are few travelers,
often, you only!
If you traverse the lonely
road
there is no one to help
carry your load.
You must be strong of
back and heart,
having perseverance
from the start.
The veteran of many wars
is lonely too,
for few walk with him,
his mind to pursue.
The minds of old vets
travel the backroads too,
Remembering the yesterdays,
when they paid their due.
The spark of patriotism
still fills their soul,
but backs are weak
and heavy is their load!
Nightmares come as
he sleeps by the road,
so weary is he
from carrying his load!
His eyes depict
that thousand yard stare,
from seeing things
that once were there.
Yes, there are still backroads
and loneliness in his,
though the war is gone
but not his fears.
Come, my veteran friend
I will walk beside you
and listen to your stories
for I have been there too.
Few there are none who
seem to care
about old veterans
traveling from here
to there!
Heavy is the load,
and long is the way
when old veterans
lie down alone today.
There is another time,
in another sphere
when tired old warriors
are no longer here! |
By
C. Douglas Caffey
Copyright 2009
Listed March
25, 2009 |
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Author's Bio:
C. Douglas Caffey is a disabled veteran of WWII. He
served (1944-1946) in the 509th Composite Bomb Group,
58th Wing, Air Photo Unit, 20th Air Force, United States
Army Air Force. It was the 509th who dropped the atomic
bombs on Japan and did the atom bomb tests at Bikini in
the Pacific. A chronic sufferer of PTSD since WWII, Doug
is a former college dean. He started writing poetry
several years ago and though he doesn't claim to be a
poet, he does claim to write from the heart. |
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