He was getting old and paunchy,
and his hair was falling fast
as he sat around the legion,
telling stories of their past.
Of war that he once fought in
and the deeds that he had done.
In his exploits with his buddies,
they were heroes, everyone!
And tho sometimes to his neighbours,
his tales became a joke.
All his buddies listened quietly,
for they knew of where he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer,
for ole' Bob has passed away,
and the world's a little poorer
for a soldier died today!
He won't be mourned by many,
just his children and his wife
for he lived an ordinary,
very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised a family
going quietly on his way.
And the world won't note his passing,
'tho a soldier died today!
When politicians leave this earth,
their bodies lie in state.
While thousands note their passing
and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life story,
from the time that they were young.
But the passing of a soldier
goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is it the greatest contribution
to the welfare of our land,
some jerk who breaks his promise
and con's his fellow man.
Or the ordinary fellow,
who in times of war and strife,
goes off to serve his country
and offers up his life.
The politicians stipend
and the style in which he lives,
are often disproportionate
to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier
who offered up his all.
Is paid with a medal,
and perhaps a pension, small.
it is not the politicians
with their compromise and ploys
who won for us our freedom
that our country now enjoys,
Should you find yourself in danger,
with your enemies at hand,
would you really want some cop-out
with his ever waffling stand?
Or would you want a soldier,
his home, his country, his kin.
Just a common soldier
who would fight until the end.
He was just a common soldier
and his ranks are growing thin.
But his presence should remind us
we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict,
we find the soldier's part
is to clean up all the troubles
that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honour
while he's here to hear the praise,
then at least let's give him homage
at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline,
that the paper might say.
" OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY!"
Written by A Lawrence Vaincourt
Thank you for visiting with me Joan!!!
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