Concentration furrowed deep within a face so lined
In service of your country, no soldier of fortune
In peace time and war, for it comes all too soon
Proud of your role and proven ability
Physical fitness and mental agility
A lifetime to serve, with little financial reward
A risk you take, avoiding death by the sword
Plucked from that ship with the fatal starboard list
On to the next and dispatch that terrorist
A mind game to play and consider ... What If ?
An adversary to study and resources to shift
Concentration furrowed deep within a face so lined
Constantly questioning, your role to define
There are many uncertainties, the future unknown
Consider the challenges, any doubt not shown
One fact remains of which there is no doubt
Of your proven ability, to simply walk out
This time passes and you are no more
A lifetime of service and they close the door
No longer useful, you are soon forgot
But your ears still echo, with that last shot
An honourable life, in service to the Queen
No status remains, you are simply not seen
Scattered throughout the English countryside
The disabled veteran is expected to hide
Retirement a fact, opens the financial door
As the inland revenue, simply wants more
Matters not that this pension was hard won
For you will be broke when the taxman has done
So the lesson is learnt, with your overseas success
You can beat the enemy, for they expected no less
But tis impossible to fight your internal corruption
As politicians abuse, and that's no assumption.
Steve . Aka . "The Old Sea Dog" . 2001 . ©
An Original Created By "This Steve"
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