Shining Knight Dented Armor

* I wrote this last year for Veteran's Day in Honor of one of dearest friends. I finally was able to read it to him so now here it is for all the world to see ***

He says I'm no hero cuz hero's are dead.
He says He's a Battle Scarred Knight in Dented Armor
For almost 20 years this place he has severed.
His family has prayed, worried and waited to see him come home.
It's not all yellow ribbons; it's hard and it's cold.
Unanswered emails and no one to hold.

He finally arrives on that bittersweet day.
They are all glad to see him but know he's not the same.
Nightmares, cold sweats and pain no normal man can bear
Are all just part of the game for this soldier to bear.
His back hurts, his shoulders ache; somedays he can barely move.
To walk down the street and hear him be criticized and booed.
His knees are gone; and his son's almost grown.
A lifetime he has missed.

He hurts at night when he lays down to rest
He longs for the day when he can again wear that vest.
He loves this place; this land is his home
but for the battle scarred knight, war is all he has known.
This shining knight with his dented armor.
He says I no Hero cuz hero's are dead.
He thinks to little of himself; that's what I see.
He's something to all of us for the life that he leads.


Thanks for everything you've done...enjoy your retirement! You have earned it! Lots of love and gratitued. :) Robin