THE SALUTE
The old Warrior sat at a table alone
He was rubbing scars and nursing a beer
Having been in so many battles and yet
Finding himself alone as he sits here
He thinks of all the causes he defended
The people he valiantly fought for too
And wonders, was it even worth it all
The toll it has taken on him and his crew
For all the skirmishes supposedly won
He didn’t feel like much of a winner now
His old body riddled with aches and pain
The wounds as deep as his soul some how
Then without a word he sat beside him
Another old Warrior he could just tell
And for a brief moment their eyes met
And they knew each other’s secret hell
With scarred hands and a scarred brow
He offered a hand and they both shook
Two old war weary soldiers
Both spoke volumes with just a look
They sat in silence it seemed like hours
Years of pain just melting away
Until he knew it had all been worth it
The great price that they both did pay
And with that his friend quietly stood up
With a nod said what words could not say
Then he sincerely saluted his soldier
Turned and slowly, walked away