Edgar A. Tieman
FOR GENE…
Gene with the POW/MIA Flag: 2001
Gene and carer accept POW/MIA Flag from Ed Tieman: 2001Toes
On the edge of the bed he sat
Off came his slippers
His socks on the bed.
He greased his feet
I’m glad for tube socks.
His toes went in
before his feet.
I should have drew
toes before
I put in my feet.
I will do that
before I sleep
Then I can show
my feet have toes.
Smiles
Millions of Veterans
smile from above
when you visit a Veteran
who’s hospitalized.
For Who I Am
Today we met
The site I saw
On his feet were
stubs for toes.
“I should have kicked
a softer ass.”
We laughed a lot
As he prepared a shot
“I glad I’m fat
but it still hurts a lot.”
At lunch we sat;
I saw his tears:
“I’m glad you accept
me for what I am.”
“Now I go to
find my
happy pills.”
Gene
Anticipation in my mind
Squeaking of rubber wheels
The sound of shuffling hands
Black net gloves protecting his hands
Blue jeans and a yellow shirt
Hat of black hid his eyes
Firm touching of the hands
Introduction of our names
Presentation of the flag
Camera flashed and caught his smile
And the reflection of a tear
Gene, Gene
The mean machine
Rolls up and down the halls
In his wheeled machine
Keep your toes curled up inside
Or they will wind up like his
His hat on backwards
Goggles in place
His wheels begin to smoke
Off goes the fire alarm
Down the hall he smokes
Tires Screeching
He does a wheelie down the hall
Get out of his way
He and his rumbling stomach
Is heading to the chow hall.
©Copyright June 13, 2001 by Edgar A. Tieman
Author’s Note: Gene is a Veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in Thailand during the conflict as an Air Traffic Controller. He now resides in a Veterans’ Care Home in Washington State and suffers from severe diabetes which has caused the loss of toes and has restricted him almost completely to a wheel chair. Gene is a happy man and engenders joy in all who meet him.