The Vet & The Necklace

She in all her glory sashayed down the sunny summer street.

Decked in her opulent heels, and graced with looks that would surely kill.

She would skip, dance and sing merry all along her way,

 Her hair was that of an angel, shimmering and golden blonde.

 Her eyes were kind and soft as her skin did appear,

Which was beautifully tanned a soft delicate bronze.

Every day, I would see her, as she would come strolling down the street

And every day she would pass me by never once stopping,

Nor ever seeing me, though I sat in plain view at her feet.

I can't much blame her, I suppose,

 For you see, I am missing certain members,

 Where my lower limbs are supposed to go.

Lost them I did in a village not far from Haiphong.

Then one day, as she came strolling my way,

I noticed something different about her look….

It wasn't her hair,

For it was the same,

 Nor was it the clothes that she wore,

It Was then I realized, as a tiny glint of light struck my eyes,

That it came from the silver necklace, she had adorned.

The closer she came, the clearer her new jewel became.

For I could see clearly on this sliver plate, stood an engraving

which depicted what had became many a good man's fate.

A fate in which I truly understand,

One in which providence had delivered on demand.

So here I sit on this sunny street,

And for the first time ever, she is looking at me.

I raise my head, to greet her stare

And I feel a chill steal across the summer's air.

I humbled as she looked at me with her soft and caring eyes,

And then without hesitation she slowly knelt down by my side.

When she spoke, it was with the voice that angels would use to sing,

"You know sir, it was not until today that I truly realized,

that it was the sacrifices that you and others like you made,

for it is by you and others brave and true …

which has given to me the freedom of this privileged life,

So from the bottom of my heart, I truly want to say,

Thank you sir…. for everything."

So this day and unto me, this crippled and bitter man,

Came a new understanding of life and its mysterious plan.

For it was today that I finally understood and truly realized,

That what I lost way back then was not to be so ever prized

As was the joy of this freedom

That shone forth from this strangers eyes.

~ How did she know~

~Peace to all that do~

J. Allen Wilson © 2005

www.Jallenwilson.com