Old News

I locked my door this morning before I left,

My routine starts at sunrise,

I feel for the click in the lock because I'm almost deaf,

Head for the bus stop and feel the sunshine.

'Good morning' I say to the public as I walk,

Not many people do that these days,

That stopped a few generations before,

People don't have the time anymore.

Visiting my usual newsagent,

I buy a paper and some bread,

Take a leisurely stroll along the pavement,

And read about the war on a two page spread.

A hero died today in Baghdad,

The headlines scream,

But they don't talk about the innocent Muslim,

Only the terrorist regime.

What to believe, is it truth or lies,

Rape and murder in your face,

This news,

It makes headlines.

I continue to walk,

The bus stop grows near,

Going through the park,

I see some people drinking beer.

They sit on the benches,

In front of the pond,

Drunken and noisy,

The alcoholics bond.

Walking past them,

I say 'good morning,'

But they give me a look,

And then start following.

Moving along the path,

I could hear one say,

'This guy looks loaded, 

we should make him pay.'

They run up behind me,

And guide me to a bush,

I don't have the strength anymore,

I couldn't even push.

My drill sergeant once told me,

'Never show fear,'

But that was years ago,

During my military career.

I don't have the strength,

That I did back then,

So I shout 'get off me!'

And they hit me again.

They took all my jewellery and money too,

Broad daylight in the middle of the street,

Turning my face black and blue,

Even using my walking stick to sweep me off my feet.

They turn me over facing the pond,

All I can see are bushes and geese,

Then one of them says,

'Don't dare go to the police.'

They all run off,

I didn't know what to do,

So I pray to god,

'Please give me a clue'

A cyclist rides by,

And stops at my feet,

Dismounts his bike,

I look as white as a sheet.

He makes a call on his cellphone,

'Ambulance please' is all I hear,

By the pitch of his tone,

I can tell death is near.

I'm now in an ambulance,

But my heart, it flatlines,

My last thought is,

'Maybe tomorrow, 

I'll be in the headlines.'