The 4th
by Willie D.
He walked down Main Street
His head was hung down
His clothes were dirty and worn
He does not remember the last meal
As he approached the corner
Old Glory was waving in the wind
A sharp salute he rendered to the
Flag he loved so dear
Once he walked with his head high
His clothes were those of the Military
He went to a land far away to fight
Freedom was what they say he was fighting for
Freedom...
A high price so many have paid
Lives fallen at the hands of the enemy
Souls lost in a far away land
Yes he served with Pride
So that Freedom may ring
Yet in his head the battles
Go on and on everyday
Is this what he fought for
To have his friends and Family
Turn their back to him when he returned
To be alone in his battle each day
People were in the park
With their families
Celebrating the 4th of July
To so many just another day off
As he walks by they do not see
The battle that he holds within
The War that goes on in his world
Day after day, but they are Free
Soon the sun starts down in the West
He shuffles down the street
Knowing another night on the streets waits
Another night to fight the battles alone
©Willie G. Dougherty 1998
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