Veteran

Veteran

back to the earth

of my normal existence

I see nothing in the misty dawn

no home, 

no job,

no money

no thanks

service to a country

that abandoned its soldiers

in the wind

flying a Medicaid kite

it's string broken

the kite gone

the body aching

broken like the string

back to the earth

of a town that no longer knows me

my face is different

scarred

broken like the string, like the body

like my loyalty

to a flag that waved goodbye to me

but not hello when I returned

it is ripped like the old jeans

I wear, full of holes

that bullets could have passed through

an old cap

says "veteran"

I am still flying from what I ingested

to stay separated from what I was doing there

the same there in theory

as all the other theres 

others experienced in the past

back to the earth

with no map to show me the way

to a hug

a handshake

a salute

even just a hello

I need new jeans

I need a new face

a new heart

a dose of hope

a few nickels to rub together

for a meal

maybe a last meal

Medals sold separately

erin-cilberto

7/9/25

Reviews

[Ayesha Faiz]

This poem is powerful and heartbreaking. It really shows the pain and loneliness a veteran feels after giving everything and getting nothing in return. The words are raw and honest. I really loved every single like of this poem. The reader can litrelly feel deep emotions with each line, atleast that's how I felt while reading this. You're a great writer, Jacob. Truly!!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I appreciate that you could connect to this piece.
thank you, Ayesha.
j.

[andrew mitchell]

It’s terrible how veterans are treated when they served their country, put their lives on the line, losing limbs etc and the mental scars they endured only to be treated back home like some sort of leper, ignored and forgotten, swept under the carpet out of mind. Poor souls.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Whether we agree or disagree on why wars are fought, we must honor the sacrifice of our Vets, for sure. They have earned that respect.

[Andrew John]

I take it you write as a vet. I never did it - although as a teen I was in the Army Cadets, and even wore a single stripe as a lance-jack, ad even commanded small groups with do this, do that, turn, about turn, left turn, right turn, etc. Oh, the poem's a nice one, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I never did, either, Andrew. Was 1A for a bit did not get drafted. Just imagination here.
Thank for your words,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

We do not give our veterans in the UK, the respect or the assistance they deserve. Although there is some improvement, there are still cases of them dying homeless on the streets. An utter disgrace for those who have served and often bear the scars of conflict, many with ptsd. Your words here j, are powerful and touch me to the core.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

It is a travesty...thank you for your words, Chris.
j.

[Ted Kniffen]

Top notch j.

As one who lived with a veteran (the Italian Campaign) I can appreciate the truth and the pain most suffered. Too many nights of too much beer and old ghosts brought a premature end to the misery he brought back.

Too many of us never actually understood the experiences with which thay dealt ... not always successfully.

Your words create a portrait of pain little recognize when they see it on the street.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

It's not easy always to recognize...I know you do, John.
thanks,
j.

[FlatDaddy]

This was not a beautiful poem, Jacob. It was ugly, brutal, unforgiving, because that's the way we are to those who serve, who care, who leave everything they love behind, then return -- some of them, to scorn and debt and misery from the scars and nightmares of their service; the rest don't come home at all.
I am a veteran but I can't say I served. They sent me where I warred on bratwurst, beer and broads (a slur only to alliteration) and to other lands where bullets weren't needed. I served more later, in a USO band on tour, than my four years in blue. No bullets, no bombs, no blood. Jacob serves his country now, not me. I cringe when people say, "thank you for your service." Say thank you to Jacob. His bullets pierce the hearts of those who need it: those who were served. That's YOU. That's US. Thank you, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, FD...kind of you to say. I really felt so bad for those who served in Nam and came home and got pummeled with insults...all they did was what they needed to do...Serve their country...the soldiers didn't ask for the war.
j.

[FlatDaddy]

My oldest brother did two tours in Nam, almost died from malaria the 2nd time after they shipped him home broken and 30 pounds lighter. He would sweat profusely and shiver on our couch hour after hour. never complaining. During one fevered dream, he recounted brokenly, of a C-130 that returned to base, dropped its rear hatch and blood poured out like a river. Still, he stayed in for 30* years and rose to Chief Master Sergeant. I never heard him say another word about Nam or talk about the many medals he had earned and kept in a drawer. He was my hero, in Nam and at home, the best man I've ever known. He died two years ago yesterday. I should have mentioned him in my review above, but I couldn't speak of him yet. I can now, a little, and did now, as much as I can. Thank HIM for his service. Thank James.

[John the Baptist]

I think the line mentioning the "Medicaid kite" is significant here, an allusion to our current government's obsession with ditching as much public assistance as possible. True, federal expenditures can be made leaner, thereby helping to alleviate the national debt crisis, but certain groups, especially veterans, deserve all the help we can give them.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, they surely do, John.
Thank you...
j.

[W. Barrett Munn]

A fitting tribute J. Well done.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thanks, Winston.
j.

[Kady R.]

I cannot understand how it feels to be a veteran. I am grateful for the service that many provide to keep the country safe and then some. But more definitely can be done for those that serve in that department. This poem just hits my heart strings.

Thanks for sharing Erin-cilberto!! 🤗🤗🤗

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, Kady....
j.

[Kady R.]

Of course!! 🤗🤗🤗