My Life is Over

I saw a young lady

Sitting on a bench

Crying with tears flowing

Huddled in upon herself

I walked up to her broken and torn

"What is the trouble?

How can it be a young lady like you?

Be in tears on this fine day?"

"You wouldn't understand

You are just a man

My plight is my own

My life is over"

“But how can that be

I may be just a man

But I have been around the world

I have visited with death"

"I have caused much destruction

And damage to my fellow man,

Broken every bone I have

And ruined my life"

"So what is this plight?

This horrible blight upon you

How can I help you see the world as I do?

Nice serine and fancy free"

She looked me in the eye

Moved her hands for me to see

“I am 13 years old today

And six months pregnant by the way"

I hung my head in sadness

Her plight was bad I fear

As I turned away

A thought came clear

"Honey I am a veteran

As you can see

I have been thru hell and back

And friends have rescued me"

"But you life is not over

That all I can say

True grit and determination

Got me to where I am today"

I gave her the advice of a marine

With tears in my eyes

"Be true to yourself and the child"

And I slowly walked away