A SOLDIER and a POET

Follow me I am the Infantry
I fight for a country to remain strong and free

The cavalry waves as they ride past with heads high
Military wives along the airfield wave goodbye

Dust covered dew rags cover the heads of the soldiers that wear no patches, a
deuce and a half truck with the driver that pulls the cover that he latches

The word man carrying the rifle watches and takes it all in
acts that these men carry out are a mortal sin

No verbal response but a stern face, no emotion, no sign of feeling
Remorse is short lived , no help from above, no spiritual healing

would be a fearful poker player if he played
The platoon stumbles on a grave with bodies decayed

The helicopter hovers slowly above in silent mode
An enemy lies wait along the road

A smell of tear gas fills the air
A smell of flesh and burning hair

Tensions are very high fear has set in
The enemy at any cost will win

The young private asks himself what are my friends doing now
A farmer walks past the unit leading the cow

Who is with my girl friend his mind plays a dreadful scene with the bad ending
who comforts her now? Whose shoulder for her to lean are they lending

A marketable skill as a grenade expert
I have gained ground and eaten dirt

Drink water says the platoon leader with every step he seems a little older
A taste of dirty plastic touches the sweaty mouth of the soldier

Sweat soaks the uniform to the skin
Who will notify the next of kin

An injured man lies in the hospital with a clean bed and air conditioning
cleans a pair of dog tags that are shiny and glistening

Where is my unit asks the patient, how many are dead?
Have we won the war?
Have they found a reason or do they know what we are fighting for?

The nurse races for the doctor
Sounds of gunfire from the helicopter

The doctor returns and tells the confused soldier that his unit is fine,
there is no war, the war is in his mind

You have never been in the military the doctor sadly tells him
one more battle says the patient I know we can win

A doctor returns to his office that he looks at with disgrace
Looks to the mirror at his white hair and sagging face