Lest We Forget

In his best service greens, his beret slanted on his head

The highly honoured veteran, a single tear he shed

Victoria Cross, Cross of Valour, Star of Courage on his chest

Still he wept for his lost comrades, as in their graves they rest

*

Lined up out here in a row, like soldiers at attention

Proudly saluting the red maple leaf, we sing our national anthem

Remembrance Day we call it, the time we all pay homage

We wear our poppies we attend parades, for valour, pride and courage

*

Lying by the subway, in tattered rags with shoeless feet

Begging for a dollar, to buy something to eat

Get a job, you mumble; as you rush by, late for work

Hoping to not to see him, for he smells like smoke and dirt

*

Why don’t the cops do something, to get him off the street?

You wonder as you stand in line for your coffee and your treat

Every day you see him, always in the way

Why does he always sit here, expecting you to pay?

*

The emptiness in that man’s eyes wasn’t born of laziness

Just in case you give a damn, how he got into this mess.

If you want to hear his story, if you should be so inclined

There are things that he could speak of, which would surely blow your mind

*

Now what if I should tell you that they’re one and both the same?

Could you then see through his wounded eyes, would you feel his pain?

That vagrant you admonished, then ignored December 7th

Is the same proud man you honoured, and saluted November 11th