Image by The U.S. Army via Flickr

A SOLDIER’S TALE

I woke up wet, the pain I felt,

My senses reeled, my heart did melt!

Memory came, and showed me done,

The bomb that killed, had not yet won;

Weapons ready, employed today,

Had not kept, an IED at bay;

Two friends had been with me this morn,

This evening, blasted, I was alone!

My life was spared, it seemed to me,

A cruel intent for fate’s dear fee!

I saw, not felt, my legs were gone,

My world, a soldier, would not go on;

They rescued me, wet and red,

Flew me to surgeons, and put me to bed;

Through stitches, and meds, and treatments galore,

I finally felt my life once more;

No legs, no hope, no nothing left,

My soul found blessing in life bereft;

A new mission, of which a few I’d had,

To instill a pride in living, not sad!

I sat up in my bed this morning, today,

Told the nurses on duty I wouldn’t stay;

I had things, important to do,

So go, fit me with a leg, or two!

My friends gave all, and I was here,

I’d give everything, and without any fear;

A brave new world, of prosthetic skill,

Transformed me into a soldier of will;

My life was not ended, no, not on that day,

It was altered, better, in so many ways!

My  eyes were wet, heart’s ache still there,

I’d never give up, true honor I’d wear!

PTR October 27, 2010