Just Another Soldier

He looks around and sees barren, nothing but rocks and sand,

many times the same thoughts cuts through his mind like a knife.

Will this forsaken place be his final stand,

will this be the time, for others, that he lay down his life?
As he watches, he doesn’t think of those

his loved ones back home and so far away.

Won’t allow his mind to go there, those whose hearts to his are close

but now of the others his thoughts cannot stray.
The others are close, watchful as he

they move carefully, all a part of each other.

Having each other’s backs, part of the pack, their creed

he only thinks of them now, each one his brother.

***

She misses him and thinks of her soldier always

while she at home has a life, busy and on the run.

No matter what she’s doing, she’s counting down the days

and in darkness alone she prays until the night is done.
Time passes, she smiles and laughs, and tries

not to think about all what he must be going through.

Once in a while, even when busy she sighs

tries not to show fear, from him she took her cue.
Not letting others know how much her heart aches

missing him more with every passing of time.

She smiles and keeps on keeping for her soldier’s sake

but alone she worries as thoughts of him fill her mind.

****

Traffic jams, shopping and things needing done

work goes on, living for weekends and a time of ease.

Many only thinking for the next time for a little fun

to kick back, the TV and what’s on it is all they want to see.
Politics go on, complain then pat each other on the back

they bicker on pretending to be enemies of one another.

Talk about money, Veterans too, but not about what they lack

just more lip service for heroes and their still serving brothers.
News for many people is which movie star is getting married

or scandals among neighbors, and last night’s ball game.

They lament at a story of a soldier being buried

sad for a moment, then back to the same old same.

*****

The blasts come intense one after another

turning desert into a new version of hell.

His body motionless, his thoughts still on his brothers

where and how they are he can no longer tell.
She senses suddenly and shivers as cold

creeps deep into her soul, something is wrong.

She thinks of him, her arms longing just to hold

she awaits word, doing as he’s told her, staying strong.
Another day goes on as the world turns still

politicians and others, living for the weekend long.

Talking heads on the tube, news of war suddenly fills

they give thirty seconds to tell of just another soldier gone.