THE BLESSING I SAW
There was an old man
That lived in town.
He never said much
Just hung around.
Looking at his eyes
Folks saw an empty stare.
Word has it his mind
Was lost somewhere.
Last year some teenagers
Thought it would be neat
So they lit firecrackers
And threw them at his feet.
Did they think he would laugh
Joining in their dance?
His reaction was instant
As he took a stance.
In a split second
He reached for a knife.
He was back in a war
As he feared for his life.
The authorities came
And took him that day
To a Veterans home
Not to far away.
I drove down to see him
And when I arrived
The blessing I saw
Was a total surprise.
He looked peaceful and calm
Bonding with his Brothers.
An understanding among them
That could be found with no others.
I watched him for a little while
But didn't speak that day.
The empty stare was loneliness
And it had gone away.