"They Have No More Toys"

They struggle on by.....
like a war torn group.
They stare beyond.....
Still proud, yet aloof.

They fought a war.....
Most never knew.
They faced a pain.....
That grew and grew.

Some went away.....
At an innocent age.
Fought, how they knew.....
None of them, were saved.

Accused by some,
Of shame and hatred.....
Others' were cursed,
Spit at- berated.

Many,..... were very ill.
Yet, no one passed the hat.
Where were the folks
Who were responsible for that?

So, off they went.....
Alone,..... Into a widening abyss.
For years and decades hence.....
Not aware of what they've missed.

Some may have known of this..........
And remained silent for too long.
Three generations of veterans.....
All, already gone.

Some, they traveled this road.....
More than 50 years ago,
When it was just a thin path.....
Blanketed by a pristine laden snow.

Some they fought,.....
late into their nights'.
They fought through their peril's.....
Never knowing their plight.

They come from famous wars.....
Some liked, some not.
But,..... all raised their hands.....
Some later lost them- some not.

Many sacrificed a limb.....
And others, oh, so much more.
Some, maybe just a tooth.....
But all,.... they lost 'their' war.

Their innocence, their prime,.....
Their health and their youth,
All were cast aside.....
Dispelled, and now unused.

Many, never knew.....
What had even hit them.
They later faced problems.....
Why no assistance?

They now pass on by.....
like silent mourners.
It's an errie cry.....
Like a void, wide open.

Not lost, not pained,.....
Just distant- permanently refrained.
They'll pace for eons now.....
There's nothing more to gain.

An Army-like mass of folks.....
From all kinds, and from all years.
But no one laughing.....
No jokes, no chuckle, not even a fear.

A wandering pilgrimage of stoic folks.....
Why, none of them have tears.
Their faces are all cast like cement.....
Their hearts emptied- no longer cheer.

Some they suffered......
Without any hope.
Others remained
To shed the tears....

But, all were never really told......
What took their pride,
Then.....took their health,
And finally took their fear's.

You can see the line of veterans now.....
It stretches back for miles.
It meanders from the recent past.....
Casting shadows- never a smile.

No one is talking,.....
All remain quite glib.
Some of them are limping,.....
Some without hips.

Some, yes, did admit,.....
That, I was a bad boy.
But, who of you will stop and say.....
You got what you deserved, and no more toys?

They can no longer hear us.....
Nor, will they ever respond.
Off they shuffle en masse,.....
Far away, into the distant- and beyond.

Wait! Come back!
We are almost there!
Soon,.... they are gone,.....
Their families' abandoned and despaired.

How many more?

Where will be the wars?

What is the ultimate cost?

What's,.....the final score?

I see not an end.....
To these vets from yore.
They no longer have friends.....
They have nothing- no more.

But what of their lives?

But what of the cost?

Who'll pay this price?

Who'll bear this loss?

by

Kevin Donnelly
Captain, USAR

7/4/99

Dedicated to deceased Hepatitis Veterans.


Table Of Contents
~ Other Main Areas Of This Site ~
Your Assistance Needed To Help Verify Claims ] Veteran Resources and Help
Agent Orange ] PTSD Resources and Help
Vietnam's POW/MIA ] America's Candles in the Wind
Poetry Written By and For Veterans ] My Heroes
Site Awards