A Warrior's Worry

A Warrior's Worry

The President came to visit last week.
He’s been with me before
And like millions of others who stop by
He doesn’t even know my name.

They pay homage without knowledge
Of me, the man, the person, a devoted son once made of skin and bones.
They prefer now not to know.
It’s easier that way.

No longer a man of ambition, appetites and loves.
I’m a symbol to be honored and cherished instead
As the son of all mothers and fathers, the golden ones;
The ones whose sons’ blood was shed freely from our nation’s veins.

The clicking of shined heels and cleats is unending.
The vigil’s the same over head, no matter the weather.
Pride and grief remain my uniformed companions
Day by day…year after year here in the quiet of Virginia.

My own grief’s not reserved for myself
Or for the role I dutifully fill
But for the future immediate
And the new children who will soon follow us millions now gone.

I want to symbolize peace
And quiet among nations.
I’d prefer standing for life and not honored death
But it won’t be soon that this will pass, I can see.

And I will forever and full-of-hope remain

The Unknown Soldier

Story ID:	3918
Written by:	jim rambo (bio, contact, other stories)
Story type:	Poem
Location:	Arlington Virginia USA
Year:	2008
Person:	Unknown Warrior