Thank You, Veteran
by Pam Patterson
I just don’t know what to say,
I speak and smile and say “Hi, how are you today?”
And you answer “fine” or just look the other way,
Probably thinking “How do you think I feel?”
“I’m in the hospital for God’s sake.”
“Or, surely you can see for yourself.”
Maybe you’re suffering now for what you did for my sake,
your family’s sake, your country’s sake--for all our sakes.
We flounder with inadequate words to tell you how meaningful that is,
So we leave books, maybe remember you
With a Christmas card or a weak hello
Because we can’t find the words to say,
“I’m sorry that you had to endure so much pain and hardship…
for me.”
A simple “I appreciate your service doesn’t seem to be enough,”
But whether or not it is enough, I say “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
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