He got up one day and looked outside
Thought of the NHS
Donned his tie and jacket and
Pinned his medals to his chest
Went out into the sunshine
And hunched over walking frame
Paced up and down his garden
A hundred laps his aim
A simple gesture really
But the locals did enthuse
About a man they knew as Captain Tom
Who in ordinary shoes
Walked slow and sure with purpose
To lots of ah’s and ooh’s
And word soon spread of his intent
Then to the national news
A story of a war hero
Who’d be a hundred soon
A story to shed light on
This pandemic gloom
A story of a modest man
Ninety-nine years old
A story that the media
Could turn to TV gold.
He captured all our hearts
And I wondered what we saw
Did we think of him as a humble chap
Say one that may have lived next door
Who instilled belief you could achieve
No matter health or age
Or is achievement only recognised
If it’s played upon a stage.
So are the question’s deeper
And the answers more profound
Of why Sir Tom moved us so
And why did his walk resound
Cos so many unsung heroes
Also pound along the ground
Let’s hope Sir Tom your legacy
Turns hearts and minds around.