There he sits
Alone
On his park bench
His prosthetic leg and crutches
On the ground beside him
A child walks past
"Mommy,
What happened to him?"
Others walk past
And whisper and stare
"He's freaky."
"What happened to his leg?"
The young veteran smiles
Remembers that land mine
That exploded under his feet
As he herded the children
From the orphanage
In Iraq
To safety
The mine
That stole his swimming days
His workout days
The days when he was active
He reattaches his leg
Picks up his crutches
And goes on his way
They always whisper and stare
But never ask him his story
