Where Does It Hurt

WHERE DOES IT HURT

Doc wrote this poem as he reflected on the thousands of American military men who were killed in action , never to return to the land of their birth. Doc says,
"May those who read these lines, always be reminded that some scars never show on those who returned, yet the pain of remembering past days, and past friends, are ever present. Let us all remember that Freedom is not cheap, and that some things are worthy of death!"

Where does it hurt?

Right here, Doc, under my shirt.

No, the left side, Doc.

Yep! It's my heart!

How long has it been hurtin' son?

Well, every since WWII was won.

It's the left side, Doc.

Yep! It's my heart!

Better have MRI or a SCAN,

My soldier, veteran man.

It' the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

The SCAN sees no scars there.

Are you sure that's "where"?

It's the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

Can you describe the pain for me,

For the pain I cannot see?

It's the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

Tell me, when did it start?

You mean this ache in my heart?

It's the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

It started when my friend fell from the sky,

When he fell 20,000 feet to die.

It's the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

Does the pain ever go away son?

No, Doc, not since WWII was won!

It's the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

Does it keep you awake at night?

Nearly always 'till the break of light!

It's the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

Do you see your lost friends in the night?

Yes, Doc; All my dead friends in my sight!

It's the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

Do you see men's bones in the sand?

I do! I do! Doc, bones that used to stand!

It's the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

You say the hurt grows worse;

Can I summon you a nurse?

It's the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

Did I hear you say, "Why did I survive?"

"Why did they die and I remain alive"?

It's the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

Doc, this is true for every vet,

For we long for those who aren't home yet!

It's the left side, Doc!

Yep! It's my heart!

Doc, I know they ain't comin' home!

They've been such a long time gone!

That's why it's the left side, Doc!

My heart hurts, Doc!

Doc, not only does my heart hurt,

But the heart of every single vet,

Who from the wars aren't home yet,

It's our left side , Doc!

Yep! It's our hearts!

We would leave our friends behind

If we shut them from our minds;

It's our left side, Doc!

Yep! It's our hearts!

We know, Doc, that your MRI's

Hide our scars from your eyes.

It will always be our left side, Doc!

Yep! It's our hurtin' hearts!