My Expense

Pin a medal to my chest,
Close the lid & lay me to rest,
I know not where, I took my final breath,
A bullet ignores the lack of a vest,
It cares not who it lays to rest,
In my name, at my expense you claim,
For your island home for your ducks to roam, 
Your champagne flutes for wealthy suits,
The list goes on & on,
But for private Smith, or was it Jones,
Or even Major Tom, the list goes on & on,
What's in a name? fulfill your claim,
Save the plot from all my friends,
The line of headstones has no end,
You trade your conscience, for a new flatscreen TV,
While I'm out here dodging IED's,
In my name, at my expense you claim,
For your second home, for your kids to own,
Your chauffeured cars, your chocolate bars,
The list goes on & on,
But for Private Smith, or was it jones,
Or even Major Tom, the list goes on & on,
What's in a name? Fulfill your claim,
House has no mirrors, you seek out the scissors, 
You can't submit a lost receipt,
You mourn to save your skin,
So turn the cameras on, proclaim the list must carry on,
You replace the tanks with bail for banks,
Give no thanks, you just fire blanks,
The beast goes marching on,
But for private Smith, or was it Jones,
Or even Major Tom, the list goes on & on,
What's in a name?
It's just a name…

©️ Copyright Graham Marshall 
©️ image Graham Marshall 
GrahamMarshallPoetry.com