Men Without Houses
Joe GI, retired,
rolls a smoke
from his nearly empty pouch.
He casts a very, very long shadow
on the wall,
companion to silhouettes,
too many too count,
belonging to men
without houses,
waiting for a door to open
at the local shelter.
Here is a link to Homeless Veteran's web pages where you can get information if you feel so inclined:
http://www1.va.gov/Homeless/
Asheville, YOU can help here: http://ashevillehomeless.org/
~^~jA Narrin, Wind-in-the-Feather
Asheville, 2009
This is so sad. What's worse is it is true for a lot of our men. I am so tired of seeing our men go over there and die or come back broken and broke. It is wrong in my opinion. We aren't doing any good over there so bring our troops home! Please?
JaneAnne -
There but for the grace of God, go I.
The country has too many who have too little to compensate for so much.
Rose~
I still believe in the power of verse...and change with compassion. Thanks for your note....a fitting tribute in the form of caring for those who have suffered and continue to do so.
Jim~
I do believe there IS another way, although it seems Peace is a muse who hides in the hearts of people like you...
I have spent the day trying to salute veterans and active duty men and women. I have learned that they lead the nation in homeless, depression and all the other dark things we don't want to think about. Shame on us. We have no idea what they are going through and what our veterans have been through. And that doesn't even consider what their familes and children have been through.
I salute the Veterans and everyone to this very special post on Active Rain about . . . Why the Poppy? - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1331356/remembrance-day-why-the-poppy-
It is terrible that those who have sacrificed so much for our country end up homeless.. jobless.. and without any health care. I realy don't understand this at all.
Joan~
Luckily, there are people like you in the world. People with generous spirits and compassion. . .