A Soldier died today

[UK_Widowmaker 571]

Got this in an email...thought I would share

 

 

Remembrance Day

He was getting old and paunchy

And his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion,

Telling stories of the past.

 

Of a war that he once fought in

And the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies;

They were heroes, every one.

 

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbours

His tales became a joke,

All his buddies listened quietly

For they knew whereof he spoke.

 

But we'll hear his tales no longer,

For old 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 stories

From the time that they were young.

But the passing of a Soldier

Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

 

Is the greatest contribution

To the welfare of our land,

Someone who breaks his promise

And cons 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 politician’s 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 off with a medal

And perhaps a pension, though small.

 

It is not the politicians

With their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the 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

In the paper that might say:

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,

A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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I've read this before and it brings a tear to my eye each time, it is so spot on. Thanks WM.

 

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[Dej 17]

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... it is so spot on.

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That says it.

[Ratatat 0]

Great poem. Thanks for sharing UK_Widowmaker. I've sent this one out to my friends and family. A bit late perhaps...but definately worth spreading around.

[Fortiesboy 3]

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I've read this before and it brings a tear to my eye each time, it is so spot on. Thanks WM.

 

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And me too. Thanks Simon. a wonderful truly written poem. And in this Country, now, so apt. What a shower now leading us,

compared with a soldier.

[Hasse Wind 46]

A well-written poem.

 

However, all too often you could replace 'politician' with 'general' or 'admiral' in a poem such as that. Especially if talking about WW1, a war that saw more than its fair share of incompetent butchers of good, ordinary men. Many times in history great things have been achieved even though the generals and admirals did their best to screw things up. Military leaders have always loved to blame politicians for their own failures. Sometimes they are right, sometimes not.

[Beanie 4]

Excellent - Thank you widow for sharing with us.

 

Hasse Wind - 'However, all too often you could replace 'politician' with 'general' or 'admiral' in a poem such as that'

 

As a British soldier of 23 years, I also had my fair share of incompetent junior and field offiers.

[Hasse Wind 46]

 

As a British soldier of 23 years, I also had my fair share of incompetent junior and field offiers.

 

Yeah. When I was in the army (national service) I saw more than enough such 'great leaders', and I didn't even have to spend 23 years there. Fortunately they were in the minority. But during WW1, I'm not at all sure the bad generals were in the minority in many armies.

[Beanie 4]

Totally agreed

[Slartibartfast 153]

Wonderful...