The Piano Played

I was early

VA appointment

I waited, watched

The room filled

Sad-eyed, broken men

From wars lost and won

Their hats proclaiming

Ninth Marines, the 173^rd, the Hornet

One flew Saber Jets

A son wheeled in his dad

An anxious wife fretted over her man

Walkers for those with legs

A dog for the blind man

Who had to catch a train

At 10:44

My problems didn’t compare

But I waited

A man walked in

Tall, erect, tux, and tails

He lifted the top

Of a Grand Piano

Adjusted the seat

Flexed his fingers

Touched the ivory keys

Beautiful notes

Filled the room

Some classic

Heard in the soul

Dirty, disheveled, unshaven

A homeless vet

Smiled

He was home.

LDT August 16, ‘25

Published by thillld