Soldier

I stand here strong, both brave and tall,

Yet truth be told-I hate war’s call.

I never wished for fights or pain,

I only wished for peace again.

I love the quiet morning breeze,

The rustling leaves upon the trees.

I love the songs of birds at dawn,

And golden fields the sun shines on.

I dream of laughter, pure and bright,

Of children running in delight.

I dream of roads where people sing,

And simple joys that mornings bring.

I dream of home, so far away,

Where my old parents kneel and pray.

My mother waits with hopeful eyes,

My father hides his silent sighs.

My little sister waves goodbye,

Pretending that she will not cry.

They tell me, “Son, be safe, be strong,”

But I can hear the fear along.

I never wished to hold a gun,

Or march beneath the burning sun.

My heart was made for gentler days,

For peaceful fields and quiet ways.

But darkness came, so cold, so near,

A shadow filled with hate and fear.

It tried to steal the peace we knew,

The sky so wide, the morning dew.

So here I stand upon the line,

Where danger walks and stars don’t shine.

Not for glory, fame, or pride-

But for the peace we hold inside.

Through mountain snow and desert sand,

My rifle steady in my hand.

Not out of anger, not from hate,

But love for those who lie in wait.

For every child who laughs and plays,

For every calm and sunny day,

For every flag that waves so free,

For every dream that yet will be.

And if one day I fall instead,

With mother’s name inside my head,

Don’t cry for me, don’t bow in dread-

I kept the peace,though I be dead.

For I was just a simple man,

Who loved his home, his soil, his land.

A Soldier who fought with all his breath

So peace could live beyond my death.