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Contributor: C. Douglas Caffey || Poem Categories

The Ribbons On His Chest country as flag
I saw a veteran at the VA just yesterday
with many ribbons upon his chest...
These ribbons tell me where he's been
and some even tell me when...

But ribbons upon a veteran's chest
never tell the whole story of his quest...
for they are silent about what he's seen
since he was a carefree teen

Nor do they show the heartaches
this soldier had to bear...
when he was wounded on the point
with not a soul to see or care.

Old soldier let me shake your hand
for all you did on that foreign shore...
I look into your eyes which stare
a thousand yards, or even more...

I learn that pretty ribbons on your chest
never tell your bloody battles best...
for in my heart as well as your own
there are hidden scars never shown...

So, my dear veteran friend
the faded ribbons that you wear
shall never, never hide
your empty thousand yard stare...

When time for us shall end
and we remember war no more...
God's trump shall surely sound
and we'll meet on Heaven's shore!
By C. Douglas Caffey
Copyright 2004
Listed March 28, 2009

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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