A Veteran Slipped Away
By Steven Bates 14 Aug 2023
A veteran slipped away last night
For reasons his, he took his life
The pain he felt was real and right
He's had his hardships, had his strife
But what he didn't have was Hope
To stop him from the choice he made
He didn't have hands on a rope
To pull him from the shade
Yes, pain he had, though that was real
He needed to hold out
If only others, his pain could feel
He might still be about
But no one knew the pain he bore
The demons he would fight
The moccasins for miles he bore
Or when he lost his sight
No one knew to reach a hand
And no one is to blame
But sadly, all throughout this land
The results are still the same
Veterans dying every day
By their own hand they're taken
And oft it seems our own VA
Have somehow been forsaken
In giving any help to those
Who struggle dark and deep
It's as if our VA sadly chose
which vets they want to keep
So keep an eye and ear on friends
on veterans, kin, and neighbors
Listen when they're at their ends
You just might be their savior
A veteran slipped away last night
Let his death be not in vain
Try your best to help them fight
They've everything to gain.