The Soldier

Proud to defend his country, to protect this land.
He signed up with other soldiers to make a stand.

A band of brothers they quickly became.
Uniting together to achieve their aim.

Only in his teens no real experience of life.
Now marching in to battle with his gun and knife.

He was hailed a hero when he came home from war.
But no praise could save him from the horror that he saw.

In his head he hears screams of men wounded and crying.
As they lay on the battle field dismembered and dying.

He has tried so hard to overcome it and stand tall.
Living through turmoil to make sense of it all.

But the nightmare continues and he struggles to cope.
No one is coming to help, he fears there is no hope.

Now living on the street, no place to call home.
Invisible to passes by, hungry and alone.

Our throw away heroes, we turn a blind eye,
whilst they live on our streets waiting to die.

Lest we forget.