He never knows when words he speaks
Will be considered sage,
Especially in discussion with
A man not half his age.
Their conversation started out
As surface barely scratched,
A bio from the younger man
With details he'd attached.
He spoke of service to his flag
And injuries he took,
Of Post T stress and body blows
Much deeper than they look.
He spoke of healing, building back,
And serving once again.
The old man knew to let him vent,
And took his story in.
The old man asked, "Why then go back?
What have you left to prove?
May be if you can get to why
An aching you'll remove.
You've done more than most others do,
And you've the scars to show.
You'll never be what you once were.
You've been stopped, now hit go."
"It ended far too soon," said he,
The young man of his war.
"I didn't do what I had planned,
Now when I walk, I'm sore.
No one before, has asked of me,
'Why did you go at all.'
But you, old friend, have made me see
I can control the call.
I'll take your words, your sound advice,
And for your humble bearing,
Consider where I'll go from here.
Thank you for all your sharing."
Richard Higley © Feb 2, 2015
