A Vet’s Wish for Christmas!

A vet’s wish for Christmas!

I
Every year in December,
cold winds come on my nights
enticing me to remember
my freedom, justice and rights.

II
The hopes that I never realized
and pains which are forever my gifts,
linger around me while I am here ostracized
on my lonely street where my spirits drifts.

III
Chilly winters on every long-lasting hour,
Thirsty and hungry as I’ve never been,
I’m begging death to sweeten my acrid or sour
life; both taste alike, for all I’ve lived and seen.

IV
A rising sun that wakes me up at dawn,
the same which lays me down at sunset;
One more day on my life that’s gone;
but, who cares? I’m just a forgotten vet.

V
I served my country. Whose country is it indeed?
Whose wars are those? I know they were not mine;
because nothing is indeed for us people in need.
We paid for wars, the richest paid not a dime.

VI
Mary Christmas and happy New Year
The people yell around, or in their cozy rooms.
Their food is served with drinks, gifts and cheers,
brother and sisters enjoy their loving cocoons.

VII
On my cheek roll down sad and bitter tears.
And while I recall joyful hours of yesterdays,
I count each day of my endless years
with no more dreams, country, friends, nor ways.

VIII
There is no land, no government for me:
I fought in wars, the bitter wars of others.
The evidence clearly shows, as one may see,
I’m, now wounded or crippled, none of their brothers.

IX
I only ask God for a simple, tiny gift
forgiveness for what I’ve done bad along my breadth.
Oh Lord, release my spirit and let it drift,
give peace to my war with a glorious death.

X
Let me end on the sidewalk, and while I cheat
a day out of my life, let me die at last, on my street.
Oh, God! Let me return to the sacred ground
where ignominious promises will never sound.

©- “A vet’s wish for Christmas!” by Miguel Soto
Stanton, CA USA – December 7, 2016.