Thursday, April 12, 2012

Ties That Bind



                                                        He walks the dark streets
                                                        looking for a place
                                                        to lay down his head
                                                        he'd gladly embrace

                                                        Maybe a park bench
                                                        or a dark corner street
                                                        tomorrow's another day
                                                        and the same repeat

                                                        The hunger in his stomach
                                                         he knows quite well
                                                         a familiar, constant struggle
                                                         he tries not to dwell

                                                         A hot cup of coffee
                                                         sounds like a plan
                                                         a few dollars in his pocket
                                                         he'd feel like a new man

                                                         His whole life's worth
                                                         since he fell through the cracks
                                                         are the clothes on his back
                                                         and in two old sacks

                                                         Every now and then
                                                         he remembers a home
                                                         some old, familiar faces
                                                         it keeps him pushing on

                                                         An old, faded picture
                                                         of what he once had
                                                         before he lost it all
                                                         and things got so bad

                                                         The voices in his head
                                                          is a never ending thing
                                                          they live in his sleep
                                                          and every little dream

                                                          He fought so hard
                                                          in that long, drawn out war
                                                          he only wants some peace
                                                          nothing less, nothing more

                                                          The peace he longs for
                                                           he fears he'll never find
                                                           he lost it in Vietnam
                                                           the place with ties that bind

                                                           Susie Swanson, 2011

This is a repost from March, 2011.  They were talking on the news today about how many homeless veterans there are in the US..  I find it hard to believe sometimes the shape the country is in, not just with veterans but with so many homeless and hungry people..We all know the reason behind it and it's been coming on for years. They have left out the most important one of all , God .. When God is not in control this is what happens.. We need to continue praying for all involved..May God Bless Each One...Susie

28 comments:

  1. This is a moving and sad poem, Susie. It is such a tragedy we have so many homeless.

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  2. I agree with Daisy...your poem brings to light just what desperate trouble our country is in.

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  3. You've got a sharp eye and a good heart, Susie.

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  4. The message of Christianity to me is really very simple: help the poor and sick. It's not hard to understand; it's just hard to do.

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    1. I agree, it's so hard to do with so many in need..Thank you.

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  5. Oh Susie,
    what a lovely poem and yes, very sad...our veterans deserve so much better! no one should have to live like this who has served their country!

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    1. Thank you Tracy, you are so right and yet there's so many people , not only Vets living like this everyday. I think about it quite often when I lay down at night.

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  6. Sad poem, Susie...You are right. There are lots of homeless in our country--both vets and others. AND--with our country moving away from God daily it seems, who knows what our future as a country is going to be... Scary, isn't it???

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Thank you betsy, I wonder about that myself.It sure is scary..you take care..

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  7. Very sad and touching, Susie. I shudder to think what our grandchildren face in the coming years, with God being pushed out of everything.

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    1. Thank you, I to shudder to think what they'll have to face.. We can only put it in God's hands..

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  8. A most heartfelt posm, sad to think that soldiers who have served their country to give freedom to others is reduced to liveing on the streets.

    Yvonne.

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  9. A beautiful and very sensitive poem Susie. Hug and xxxx
    The news of many homeless veterans is shameful!!! They wander the streets like animals instead of humans..The government needs more homes or farms for these men. Somewhere they can be helpful and gain more self respect. It makes you want to run out and find them and bring them home. I know my Ray, he goes into his own little world. Sometimes he can do jobs around the home and other times he lacks interest in everything. Its hard.

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    1. Thank you Crystal, the goverment needs to do lots more but it don't seem to happen..I think of the ones like your husband and what he goes through..I'm praying for him and all of them..My husband has his moments too...He doesn't talk about it either..

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  10. Your poem expresses so beautifully the sadness of this situation. God bless all soldiers and veterans.

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  11. Hi Susie! I love this poem and it is hard to believe that it has been a year since you last posted it, it just seems like I read it a couple of months ago. Wow, time is passing so quickly! You have such a way of empathizing with people and helping us to feel what it is like to walk in their shoes. It is such a gift. Thank you for sharing it with us again. With Love, Delisa :)

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    1. Awww, thank you Delisa.. glad you enjoyed it..Time has a way of getting passed us..

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  12. Susie,

    This poem is really good, but it just breaks my heart that after our veterans fought for our country, some are homeless. That's just so sad. You captured this homeless vet very well in your poem that brought tears to my eyes.

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    1. It breaks my heart to Brenda and thank you so much.

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  13. Oh Susie, you have hit the nail right on the head. It is vain to try to build a house without God as the foundation. And it is so sad that the best and brightest and bravest who went out to fight for our liberty are not valued and rewarded, while those who are intent only on getting the most they can for the least amount of effort seem to be rewarded. Not right.

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    1. I agree, it's a shame.. Something is very wrong.thank you.

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  14. This left me with tears in my eyes. My cousin was bound by that war, and lost his battle a few days ago. Thank you for this! It meant so much!

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    1. I'm so sorry for your loss, I will be praying and you are very welcome..

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