But blinded, he still had not sought
The escape to lead him from the fighting,
He dug himself into the foxhole and fought
Never knowing, he had been easy sighting

He began to fear greatly for his life
And he cowered behind others, hiding.
But whenever he found security from strife,
Someone would force him from his abiding.

Again he tried to make a clean break
For as it seemed he did this best.
He had always hated the war and wanted out,
He wondered if ever he would finish his quest.

Then I asked, “Why were you always seeking
For the only way of victors is to fight,
And trying to escape is surely a weakening
for in the fight, you may gain a newer height.

“O let me relate” he said, “for my story is long
And there is much I would have you know.”
That many a time he had fought the strong,
But a seed in the dry could not possibly grow.

He felt he was of compassionate wealth,
Did he not tend to the wounds of the wars?
But was he doing it to nurture their health
Or was it in fact to win their applause?

Suggestions came from his unseen ally,
But his haughtier self waved them away.
Some knew too much, others did not tally-
He was not convinced, he would not obey.

Back to the jungle, back to the fight,
Taking no orders but his own, he thought.
One by one they vanished out of sight,
Then he was alone, over-run in the fort.

His unseen ally came again to his aid
And beat back the enemy, giving him time,
Fortified him, but he would not be made-
As it turned out, things were just fine.

I asked, “Now tell me, as I feel you sow,
Who was your ally who came in times bad?”
He said, “I could not see so I did not know
But one thing is certain, I sure was glad.”

How glad could he be with the future signed?
How long could he learn and not know?
How long could he seek and not find?
Well he saw that star, not only the glow.