Jim

Red tears of
Despair streaming
Down dust coated
Battle-scarred cheeks

Once proud shoulders
Bow down under
The oppressive weight of
Unfulfilled promises
And broken dreams

Steel blue eyes
Trained to search out
Enemy targets
Now empty and clouded
Looking only for a
Warm place to sleep
And the next bottle

Forgotten by those
He swore to defend
He struggles on alone

Once a fierce warrior
Now something to
Be avoided lest
His desolation
Infect you

He used to be a
Soldier
Now we call him
Railroad Jim