Once a proud young soldier standing on parade
Now a homeless nomad shivering in icy rain
Cold concrete for a mattress and a newspaper blanket newly made
Sleep broken with blinking frames of past horror, agony and pain
Another patriot bound for war bid his wife and children adieu
He made the news for being wounded then forgotten next day
Living in a wheelchair, no bright future and opportunities few
Income now restricted to an ever diminishing disability pay
These are examples of those who paid a terrible price
Citizens who stepped forward to serve their beloved Nation
Then In battle, their fate was decided on the fall of the dice
Now with family and empty pockets, travel to unknown destinations
While In that special place, Canberra Suits wine and dine by night
Planning more political propaganda to appease a noisy alien few
Betraying vets with broken promises and ignoring their plight
Still seeking votes as cheering crowds bid today’s soldiers’ adieu
Tomorrow, more homeless nomads will be shivering in icy rain
They too with blinking frames of past horror, agony and pain
All will be new disabled veterans tormented with endless frustration
Never fear, there’s free travel to what is now a familiar destination
George Mansford © May 2016
