At his graveside memorial the last post was played <br />And a very fine speech in his honour was made <br />By a famed army general who is known far and wide <br />For a brave old ex soldier who of old age had died. <br /> <br />But one fact was omitted of his heroic life <br />Of how from the pub he often came home drunk and battered his wife <br />She was a good woman and with her he now lay <br />We ought not speak ill of the dead many say. <br /> <br />In words your idea of a hero how would you define <br />Is it someone who in war puts his life on the line <br />In a far Land where too many young people died <br />In his fight for his beloved flag and his Nationalistic pride? <br /> <br />Your noble old hero with the deceased lay <br />And that he battered his wife with you does seem okay <br />Of those who have died let no ill be said <br />Since you only judge the living and your God judges the dead. <br /> <br />His children and grandchildren at his graveside <br />As well as mourners who had travelled from places far and wide <br />To honour a man who had once travelled far <br />For to fight for his flag in one more tragic war.<br /><br />Francis Duggan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/your-noble-old-hero/
