irritated

 irritated because of pain they cannot shed

and may not speak of

especially to young people,

elders have often earned the right,

if not to be honored, then at least

to be tolerated with compassion

some, even, with a hint of respect

but we would need to slow down

to listen and learn to know

crusty old vets

 crusty old vets may have their reasons

as we send their youth off to war

not behind their fearless leaders, but shielding those who bid them wallow

in mud and trudge to shoot, sling fire, set off bombs, step on an IED which fragments and mutilates their buddy for all it’s being improvised

human flesh being vulnerable to explosive devices, friend or enemy

and when they return maimed in body

or soul their care is not commensurate

with promised glory, the system

devised, being expensive, is subject to

budget cuts by those same leaders

who stayed behind to devise more

policy of war