Canvas

A stranger came to me the other day

He was covered in blood and bruises
He had bullet wounds among his chest
He looked starved and wore ragged clothing

But he had a smile on his face

He went toward me

He meant no harm
He was no danger
He was just a stranger

"I was in war the other day."
He said
"Bullets flew leaving wounds and scars."
"Bombs went off and so did mines,
"during day or night, it didn't matter"

"Most of us died, but we tried and fought to the end of the book."

"Some are left, and they mourn.."
"..for their loved ones had died."

He stared at a hat
With holes and blood

He had tears in his eyes
But he kept on smiling

"We may die, we may live.
But our flag stands still."

"Even after our death."

"I bet you're wondering why I'm smiling."
He said

"I may have lost everything,"
"I may die tomorrow."
"But tomorrow never comes"

"You always live in the present."
"The past won't matter."

"Because in the end..
"We're all in the same place."

"Live today, ignore tomorrow."
"Since you live in the present."

"Don't waste your life on the past."
"Just continue moving on."
"Besides, you should be happy."

"You're still alive."

With a smile on his face
He handed me a scrap of paper
And turned away
Walking on the narrow path

He may trip
He may fall
But he still stands up tall

I stood there
On the side of the road
Still looking at the words he left
There were only three words
But it brought happiness
To me

"Paint you world."