Opie R. Houston

Opie is a 26-year USAF Retired member, from Austin, TX

VETERAN

the crowd drowns out
the wheelchair’s groan
as, with left arm,
he raises himself up
onto all-but-useless legs

then, as the flag passes,
his back straightens
and the arm braces
smartly against his side

as the memory
of his right arm
snaps
in invisible salute

©Copyright 1987 by Opie R. Houston

Author’s Note: From my book, “Man’s Favorite Sport” – 1987