A Soldier

I was that which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go,
and did what others failed to do.
I gave to those who asked, and
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing.
As I have accepted the isolation of duty,
I am resigned to the loneliness of defeat,
for these are beyond my ability to control.
I have seen the maddened face of terror,
felt the stinging cold of fear, and
enjoyed the sweet taste of a momentary love.
I have suffered, cried, struggled, and hoped,
but, most of all, I have lived ...
lived times that others would say
were best forgotten.
Someday I will still be proud
of what I once was ...
a soldier.

A Soldier

by George L. Skypeck (1978)

I was that which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go,
And did what others failed to do.
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing,
And reluctantly accepted the thought of
Eternal loneliness ... should I fail.
I have seen the face of terror;
Felt the stinging cold of fear;
And enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love.
I have cried, pained, and hoped ... but most of all,
I have lived times others would say were best forgotten.
At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of
What I was ...
A soldier.