THEIR TOM, HE WAS ONLY A MAN

THEIR TOM, HE WAS ONLY A MAN




Tom was only a man
Only ?
That's what his sister said, grudgingly.
A silly man

He liked his drink
Drunk ?
That's what his wife said, ruefully
A foolish man

He wouldn't hurt a fly
Gentle ?
That's what his mother said, endearingly
A loving man

He had great skills
Great ?
That's what his brother said, respectfully
An heroic man

He had a heart of gold
Genorous ?
That's what his father said, proudly
A big, big man

Tom made his mistake
Got something wrong
But still he was a gifted man
Sharp of mind
Quick of thought
Well respected in his work
A side of him
Few ever saw
The kind of work
done silently
and out of sight
sometimes the pain
sometimes the pleasure
no complaints, just get it done

He was only a man,
An ordinary man
Lived his life day to day
Worked the hours
Earned his pay
Paid his way
Loved his kids
Adored his wife

Looking back, he was different things
to different folk.

His sister said he'll never change
never mend his ways

His wife said he'll never look
never see what needs repair

He likes his fun with his pals
A drink or two, a game of pool
That's his way, his brother said

His father smiled and lightly laughed
His mother tsked, as soft as mud, she muttered

He's my boy, his father said
He's just good fun, his brother said
He's a pain, his sister said
He doesn't think, his good wife said
My son Tom, he's ok his mother said
and life begins at 40

Where's our dad his littlens asked
Shush now please their mother said
I'm so sorry the doctor said
The bullet taken from Tom's head
His badge of rank lay oh the bed
No more nights on lonely streets
Or sweated days on desert sand
No more guns
No more choppers

No more love no more fun

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
the preacher said
and angels took Tom by the hand
then led him to the Lord's domain...............................