Bravery Untold
A young man’s disabled life
Hangs shakily in the balance
Between what he truly wants
And what he’ll actually get.
Anti-nerve gas agent and two pesticides
The dreadful words sing in his ears
An echo heard forever more
Following him through his remaining years.
Sometimes life is a hard place to be
When just crawling from a warm bed is a chore
Such is the life of a young man I know
Who barely survived the Gulf War.
Once strong, proud and exuberant
Filled with eagerness for each new day
Now, his health is corrupted by anti-nerve gas.
And he no longer has voice to pray.
He lives each day as fully as he can
Gathering up, writing, and telling jokes
Wanting to make people laugh to spread good cheer
It’s his only way to communicate with folks.
His health deteriorates by slow degrees
While he builds from the roots of his despair
A mental game of higher level thinking
Borrowing on faith like a medical repair.
Serving one’s country in wartime
Is a brave and mighty proud sacrifice they take,
But the true measure of greatness of young veterans
Is the struggle with disabilities they must make.
As my friend picks up the broken pieces of his life.
Wishful thoughts assail his peace of mind;
But with God’s help, he accepts his fate with pride,
Making the most of each day too quickly sliding behind.
No anger or bitterness mark his pale face
There is no looking back with “if this” “if that”
He accepts his life as he knows it must be
Knowing nothing is gained by regret.
He will never run again,
He’ll never play basketball, never have a wife,
He’ll never have children or a family of his own,
Things he took for granted once are gone from his life.
He types on his typewriter/voice machine
With a soulful yearning to express himself.
But only silence comes from David’s mouth,
And he appreciates it if people realize he’s not deaf.
As a child I had super actor heroes,
Among them an admired and respected coach,
But none can ever measure up to my friend.
Whose courage and bravery is beyond reproach.
His brave determination to accept his disability
The most heroic act of any veteran man.
He’ll never be defeated in this life
Because he’s determined to do all he can.
There’s a private place inside my friend’s mind
Where he hides his suffering from you and me,
While he handles his emotions with spiritual strength
Like a paragon of faith, with grace and dignity.
David, you are my hero
A man of honor, pride, decency, and strength.
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Warmest regards ...
Reginald V. Johnson
Thank you for giving voice to all disabled veterans out there! each and every one of them is a hero in their own life.
Michal
...and so does Our Almighty!
A wonderful tribute poem for your friend, David!
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
Ted