He Said He Had Been a Soldier

He said he had been a soldier,
That his wife and children
Had died in Jamaica.
He had a begger's wallet over his shoulders,
And a coat of shreds and patches.
And though his body was bent,
He was tall
And had the look of one
Used to have been upright.

I talked a while, and then
I gave him a piece of cold bacon
And a penny.