As I have donated all above my costs, promoted, supported and raised funds for Help for Heroes for near seven years, I found the awful news they had to put out this week devastating
Like many other charities, businesses, jobs, careers and general life, Curse Covid has had a major impact on this excellent charity that looks after our wounded, so now they have had to announce that some of their homes will have to close and staff jobs will be cut. Tragic.
If I am devasted I can only image the frustration and despair felt by both receivers and givers of amazing care and commitment. Families too must worried sick about their loved ones who may now relapse or worse….
I would imagine too, that for our wounded heroes any thoughts that the government, and some people may not remember them, must hurt more than any wound or mental health issue.
This poem, popular at my Gigs and events, has won accolades, brought tears and featured on several videos, a couple on You Tube. From my 3rd book initially, but on request republished subsequently….
Footsteps
He is a man of constant sorrow
And no pleasure can he derive,
So he really cannot care less
If he should die now, or survive.
The world he loved has broken
And shattered into many parts,
So the grief he is enduring
Would shred the stoutest hearts.
The career he loved is now over
For you have to be fully fit,
And not pain filled and crippled
Struggling to get along with it.
An unlucky placed size ten boot
On bland ground that looked fine,
Took the life he knew in seconds
With that cruel exploding mine!
It was what these heroes feared
An undiscovered explosive device,
That could rip off skin and limbs
Or cause the supreme sacrifice.
So just how do they do this job?
If wrong moves can be your end
They say you just get on and do it
With your comrades and best friend.
Now our man of constant sorrow
Begins to get on with his life,
With support of all his family
And care from a loving wife,
Who tends his hurt and fears
Like those buried deep inside.
So slowly he starts to fight back
And regain his stubborn pride.
Of course he gets help and aid
Along whatever way he goes,
From excellent support teams
That gives help to our heroes.
Thus now he has a strong lifeline
Helping his family without fuss,
So we should all help him also
Giving thanks, it’s him not us!
*
Powerful stuff then I’m told, but for a powerful cause.
A rallying cry has gone out to ask all who can, to further or first time, donate quickly and deeply to this amazing charity, and I have no reluctance to echoing it here. Please help!
My second poem won first prize and amazing compliments in a competition judged by a professional author, tutor and academic who kindly said could not offer any improvements. Maybe it may jolt pockets too?
Letter From Afghanistan
A letter sent back from Afghanistan
Was not something to receive,
For it was probably tragic news
With no one coming home on leave.
Or a letter could be hand delivered
Titled on the “occasion of my death”,
Penned for you by a loved one
And will take away your breath.
Because deploying troops are told
This was a letter they had to write,
Explaining their career commitments
And love for family while they fight.
Obviously when writing the letters
The authors hoped that it would be,
Just a precautionary exercise
And that nobody would need to see,
Their words of love and farewell
As they would return safe and sound.
So the “just in case it happened” mail,
Would not be homeward bound.
But sadly many such letters needed
Reluctant opening by shaking hands,
To a feeling we can only imagine
As nobody completely understands,
This sickening and traumatic time
When this letter home is read.
For it can only have dire meaning,
And that their loved one is dead.
Fortunately I never had to bear this
Although at times my heart would drop,
But I’ve met and seen such bereaved
And just know their pain won’t stop.
So we must honour and appreciate
Our armed forces standing strong,
Who sacrifice and determine for us,
That very little will go wrong.
*
I think without repeat, I have said it all apart from humbly requesting you donate, raise money and even buy my books etc (contacts below as ever) to finance Help for Heroes as much as possible. I thank you immensely!
All eight of my books :–
Poetic Views of Life
More Poetic Views of Life
Reviews of Life in Verse
Life Scene in Verse
Life Presented In Verse,
Poet Reveals All (in your world).
Poet Reflects Your World
Poetic Seeds to Fruition
These all ensure my donation to the excellent charity I support, promote and donate to, that being Help for Heroes.
My first 3 books are only priced £4.99 each, with my 4th and 5th bigger books at £6.99. My new 8th and sixth & 7th books, all bigger are still £9.99. and all are for sale on Amazon, book stores or preferably from me ………….. lw1800@hotmail.co.uk Or 07967 355236
I can now also write a “Personal Poem” for you, your family, any event or your business too…….
I also have a Facebook page “The Psychy Poet Laurie Wilkinson”, and a website:- www.psychypoet.com please sign/join up absolutely free.
