The old-looking man —
well, not so old —
in worn camouflage
pants cap and I bet dogtag
straight from the jungle
walked in a slump
a where-am-I face.
A woman and her daughter passed him
Their dog barked, pulled hard on the leash
but not in passing me —
a man with a walking stick
and hunched back.
The vet hung his head:
Even the dogs bark at me.
Sometimes he wonders
if those tins for heating rations
contained Agent Orange
and How come the many tours we served.
For 80 years I have heard of those heroes
who served their country.
God bless A mer i ca
and all her wars.