| THE HERO...This one is a true story...I used to work at a little restaurant in Winston-Salem called STEAMBOAT SEAFOOD. The hero in this poem was a regular Tuesday nights, 7:30 pm, you could set your clocks by him!! After this happened, I just had to scribble the story. I know I'll never forget him and I'm sure the others who heard never will either! And as a nation we shouldn't ever forget !! |
| THE HERO A lesson learned the other day Is too important not to share For it applies to every one of us All Americans everywhere... I run a busy take-out stand Where people get their food to go And it's there I was reminded Of things from long ago... One of my regular customers Was a frail, elderly man Somewhere in his eighties His years covered quite a span His order never varied Two small flounders, one with fries The other with baked potato I loved the twinkle in his eyes! He was quite unassuming Soft-spoken and usually quiet He used to tease me as he'd ask When would I start that diet? Once when we were by ourselves Business was slow that day As we waited for his order We just talked the time away... He said he had some souvenirs That he'd like for me to see... I said, "Why certainly, just bring 'em by It's quite alright with me..." Once he left I soon forgot The conversation slipped my mind Until the next time he appeared And pulled me to one side In his old and trembling hands He held a plastic Walmart sack He whispered, "Can you spare a moment So we could step out back?" I could tell he was excited For his blue eyes fairly glowed Though he tried hard to contain it His eagerness plainly showed. Then I remembered, "THE SOUVENIRS!" From who knew when or where! I thought with a sigh, "On a Friday night With customers everywhere!" But I could not disappoint him For I'd promised I would look I got someone to watch the counter A second was all it took... Inwardly, I gave a groan "Souvenirs!" I thought "Ashtrays, no doubt and coasters That in his travels he had bought!" But it seemed important to him Sharing what he'd brought with me So I simply had to take the time For what he wanted me to see... As we stepped to the counter’s end He took the bag and reached inside I wondered about his expression Which looked to me like pride! Before me on the counter He placed a small black jeweler's case Followed by two more just the same That little smile still on his face... |
"Go ahead, Dusty....open one" I heard the old man say, So I did and what I saw Took my breath clean away! Against a soft, black velvet background Below a tiny rainbow bar Gleaming as it caught the light Was our nation's Purple Star!! One of our country's highest honors Awarded only to the best For bravery and great courage Valor surpassing all the rest! I'd heard about this medal Earned by heroes in foreign lands But I trembled as I realized That I now held one in my hands! Tingles raced along my spine And my hair almost stood on end As I looked up to meet the eyes Of my delighted little friend! The other cases he had opened Contained more medals that he'd won A Star of Bronze....the Service Cross Three when all was said and done. He tenderly turned each one to show His name engraved first and last His eyes now focused I was sure On some distant, painful past "Back at home I have another" He whispered with a wink "A German helmet on my dresser... He never missed it I don't think!" |
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