The Soldier

7 Comments

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  • If Only

    Poem Commentary

    As they say - there's a million stories to tell - this is just one.

    The Soldier

     A soldier this man had been
    And strong he was at the start
    Until he came back home again
    And things just fell apart

    Support was what he needed
    But support he did not get
    Yet, I think if he had got it
    He would have been here yet

    Coming home just wasn't right
    It wasn't like in the field
    There he knew he had to fight
    But home he had to yeald

    His wife then ran out on him
    His kids went with her too
    Then came drink and gamblin'
    And it killed this tragic fool

    There's no moral to this story
    But it really tears at the heart
    This soldier found no glory
    I think he was doomed from the start

    Sometimes no matter what you do
    Things just don't work out right
    This story that I'm tellin' you
    Well, some may think it's trite

    But in an alley he died alone
    With each there's a tale to tell
    Most will find their way back home
    But some will go straight to Hell

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    Teardrops commented on The Soldier

    02-21-2010

    I have seen this all too often war is the killer of our men and woman by direct hit or in the mind . Loved this poem thanks Marie
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    02/21/2010

    Yes - Lost souls are not all in the imagination of poetry. They live. Thanks for your appreciation, M.

    ginga commented on The Soldier

    02-10-2010

    Stryx, This is a direct and shot to the heart message that may happen way too often. TY for posting it sob readers realize the casualities of war happen right here at home when least expected. ginga
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    02/10/2010

    Thank you for commenting, ginga. We are all casualties of something. Some we get to write about.

    icu2 commented on The Soldier

    02-09-2010

    The ugly side of life. Where is the love, where are the friends, and for goodness sakes, someone needs to knee-cap that wife. We have freedom, and they have an alley. What a world. This one should be on bulletin boards everywhere.
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    02/09/2010

    I rarely write about actual life - I write about life on this side of my eyes - where my heart resides

    SavVySam commented on The Soldier

    02-05-2010

    I concur with the esteemed panel below, furthermore there is a very good point within this very good poem! Nice work as always Stryx!
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    02/05/2010

    Thaaaank you SS.

    harveygrund commented on The Soldier

    02-05-2010

    Powerful and real (not at all trite). It's a sad story repeated far too often. A Question to you and your readers: Could a period of supervised (by the VA) readjustment to civilian life help or are these primarily cases of people who should have never attempted to serve in the military?
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    02/05/2010

    An interesting thought H - But we ask the Go'ment to do it all. Maybe this would be the place for the church or a group of people who care. How about freebees from the Psychology sector - a little pay-back so to speak. [BTW - you were pretty fast. I just got this up. Thanks for the visit.

    When power leads man towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.

    John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) Thirty-fifth President of the USA

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