Poem: Dole Coat

Wednesday, September 18, 1996 - 10:00

Dole Coat

They made them wear

their coats of pride,

dyed as mark of "shame",

symbol of

outstretched hand

of poverty and loss.


Worn on fields of death,

splattered with courage's blood

and hardship's grime,

a badge of honour

dragged through the mud

of bitter grudging charity.


Returned men during

dark depression days

pulled them close

to fight the chill of short

memories and graceless aid.

They were cut from a different cloth.

Bill Anderson

From GLW issue 247