PW - THE SOLDIER

The air is choked with dust,

The rockets come screaming in;

There is sadness and suffering,

But amidst the chaos, there is you.

The people trudge through the day,

The downing of the sun, yet nothing stills;

There is the frantic activity of nations,

But during the night, there is you.

The sights, the sounds, smells,

The longing for home, the heartache for peace;

There are nightmares, and dreams of better days,

But cutting through the endless dark, there is you.

The tired soldiers so weary to the bone,

The bravest of hearts and courage of spirit;

There is love and joy and honor always to be found,

And like the beautiful angel at my side, there is you, the soldier.

by A. Landry

Kandahar, Afghanistan March 10, 2009