THE LAST VETERAN

Ebb and flow, waving goodbye, waving hello.

So the sea goes, ceaselessly.

Old feet on fresh sand.

The water no longer running red.

Memories crashing inside his head like waves on the shore.

Creaking knees bend, arthritic hands dig into the ground.

One old tear trickles down weathered skin.

He will never visit again. He thinks of those who never left.

He waves at the sea and the sea waves back.

Goodbye to one more brave soul.

This land claimed them all in one way or another.

So life goes on ceaselessly.

Ebb and flow, waving hello, waving goodbye.


sea-mist
Copyright Sue Vincent

This is a response to the Thursday Photo Prompt – Waves curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.

27 responses to “THE LAST VETERAN”

  1. A very sad one, Iain, but the sea does resurrect old memories… and some never leave us.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I loved the linkage of the first and last line Iain.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Poignant and lovely Iain.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Beautiful and poignant, Iain. I enjoyed reading it. It read like poetry.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. You’re welcome, Iain.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. So beautiful and poignant.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Perhaps he walks on the shores of a beach in France, or near Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The members of the Greatest Generation will all be gone soon, along with their memories.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. This is a deeply moving post 💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, I’m glad it moved you 🙂

      Like

      1. Yes indeed it did 💜

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Beautiful and tender, and sad bearing in mind what he must have seen.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Beautiful and heartfelt poetry Ian,. I enjoyed this one a lot. Sad, but also great rhythm and flow.

    Liked by 1 person

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