One Veteran's Day

firkins and gherkins and whistles and shoes cluster bombs, punji stakes, death in the news choppers chattering napalm splattering a carpet bombed mind with asian war blues cracked vinyl records and medals unworn black and white photo, ex-soldier unshorn wheeling chair graying hair a beaded necklace with peace sign well worn tobacco stained fingers shake with a curse lips pull a drag with help from a nurse flares ignite will he fight? a battle goes cold, memories submerse wheeled to a corner, he stares at a wall that others can’t see, for him it is all locked within he can’t win a war without end... unspeakable gall