Wearing Scarves

We can be the faces of lies
wearing scarves to cover
who we are

We walk in darkness
believing in nothing
but practicing the forbidden
We wave the flag in honor
for a little while and conceal
it to take off the scarf we wear

We have become part of the shameful
Americans living in the uncaring future
How can we say we care and forget
our brothers of wars

They are in hospitals and institutions
missing parts and broken minds
Their healthcare stinks as they wait
months to be seen for ailments
conceived during wars

These warriors cannot escape the pain
it haunts them like ghosts and
torments them like demons

Men who enlisted in one piece
and returned as Humpty Dumpty
How many of us take time out
to visit a soldier at the VA
and will sit with one to tell him
how much he is honored?

Who has devoted the time?
Who visited a grave site
where soldiers rest from
the wars they committed to

We the people become busy
thinking of ourselves
and the pleasure it brings
Leisure is more important,
"Let us grill burgers and steaks"
"A beer and a cigarette"
Is this all we have to give
to the defenders of mankind
so that we could not perish?

Most never knew you and I
but they didn't care
they are the brave

Has it all become commercial?
Even the enlistment
to get what we can
out of the issue of war?
How will we receive conviction?
What will it take?
are my lingering thoughts.

For my father Avelino Ramos Reyes whom fought many wars for this country the USA