Does it matter?

Siegfried Sassoon

    Does it matter? – losing your leg? …
    For people will always be kind,
    And you need not show that you mind
    When the others come in after hunting
    To gobble their muffins and eggs.

    Does it matter? – losing your sight? …
    There’s such splendid work for the blind;
    And people will always be kind,
    As you sit on the terrace remembering
    And turning your face to the light.

    Do they matter? – those dreams from the pit? …
    You can drink and forget and be glad,
    And people won’t say that you’re mad;
    For they’ll know that you’ve fought for your country,
    And no one will worry a bit.

Sassoon, is fast becoming my favorite war poet.

Pity our veterans

Thank you for your service.
It’s too bad about your, you know
So brave, such sacrifice
We can’t thank you enough

It is too bad you weren’t
Smart enough for college
Good enough at sports
No other opportunities

Like me, us, we, not you
Your sacrifice, bravery
Heroism and gallantry
Disability, scars of war

We support our veterans
Enough, not too much
Never an inconvenience
We honor your sacrifice

Photo by Thomas Ashlock on Unsplash