At times we may forget that soldiers are just people like everyone else. They laugh, they cry, they have sweethearts and mothers, birthdays and favorite cars - and they die.
Sometimes when we are celebrating victories we forget about those who made it possible, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
The soldier boy was sitting calmly underneath that tree.
As I approached it, I could see him beckoning to me.
The battle had been long and hard and lasted through the night
And scores of figures on the ground lay still by morning's light.
"I wonder if you'd help me, sir", he smiled as best he could.
"A sip of water on this morn would surely do me good.
We fought all day and fought all night with scarcely any rest -
A sip of water for I have a small pain in my chest."
As I looked at him, I could see the large stain on his shirt
All reddish-brown from his warm blood mixed in with Asian dirt.
"Not much", said he. "I count myself more lucky than the rest.
They're all gone while I just have a small pain in my chest."
"Must be fatigue", he weakly smiled. "I must be getting old.
I see the sun is shining bright and yet I'm feeling cold.
We climbed the hill, two hundred strong, but as we cleared the crest,
The night exploded and I felt this small pain in my chest."
"I looked around to get some aid - the only things I found
Were big, deep craters in the earth - bodies on the ground.
I kept on firing at them, sir. I tried to do my best,
But finally sat down with this small pain in my chest."
"I'm grateful, sir", he whispered, as I handed my canteen
And smiled a smile that was, I think, the brightest that I've seen.
"Seems silly that a man my size so full of vim and zest,
Could find himself defeated by a small pain in his chest."
"What would my wife be thinking of her man so strong and grown,
If she could see me sitting here, too weak to stand alone?
Could my mother have imagined, as she held me to her breast,
That I'd be sitting HERE one day with this pain in my chest?"
"Can it be getting dark so soon?" He winced up at the sun.
"It's growing dim and I thought that the day had just begun.
I think, before I travel on, I'll get a little rest ..........
And, quietly, the boy died from that small pain in his chest.
I don't recall what happened then. I think I must have cried;
I put my arms around him and I pulled him to my side
And, as I held him to me, I could feel our wounds were pressed
The large one in my heart against the small one in his chest.
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(c) 2000 Michael Mack Please respect the rights of the author and Passions in Poetry. If you would like to use this poem on your own web page, please contact the Author. Thank you.
Wht can I say beautifully written such sentiment brought tears to my eyes I could picture it in my mind and I shall paint it . Thank you for sharing this with me
Janice
I loved the poem! It is so true- soldiers are not only human, they are humans putting their lives on the line for each and every one of us and our wonderful country! We had a very dear friend that gave the ultimate sacrifice in Ramadi, Iraq in January of this year. Only 19 years old and he was so proud to serve our country. This poem describes exactly how he was. Now, my son is in Marine boot camp very eager to serve our country and defend everything we stand for. This would be an excellent poem for everyone to read. (and digest) Thanks for the beautiful expression. God Bless
Fatima
it was wonderful! nice thing to feel the pain of those to whom we owe our life and peace
mel
I vote for Small Pain In My Chest i think it's an amazing piece of art. It really touched me because i've had and still do have family members that have been in a war. I also think it was kinda romantic in a very strange way. Thank you so much melissa
Cherish
I loved it. I have friends and family overseas right now. It was touching.
Beatrice
Beautiful,very moving,by the end i was crying.
armyboi
well being in the military i'd have to say thanks for writing about what alot of us out here go through. some people never really know the burdens we carry when we watch our friends fade away. thank you for putting it into words.
dave
Excellent use of rhyme and meter, and imagery, all working together to make the story you tell all the more vivid and touching.
Sandra
A gentle poem about the gruesome and deadly ways of war.
LaManda
Wow! Your poem literally left me speechless. You are a very talented writer! Keep up the good work! LaManda Russell
dani
wow. this poem is sooo sad, it almost made me cry :o[ it made me think more about my grandpapa cuz he was in the war and he held his best friend in his arms as his friend was dying. then he died 20- years after the war
samantha
i love this poem its heart worming and sad :(
Kara
I loved your poem, it touched me. I almost cried. -Kara, 14
joyanne
it seems this poem is the exact thing i felt when my uncle had died when i was about 6.
Lee
I am a soldier myself, and i can only say, life passes us every second of everyday. This poem brings back a sense of duty, and honor to those sacred few, who don the uniforms of the armed forces of the world, in hope of protecting their people, in giving their people a second chance, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice. God bless !
Joyce
Beautiful poem and to remember and honor all our soldiers and vets. They have paid the price for freedom with thier lives. How can we ever ever forget them? I won't. They all my heroes.
amelina
this poem made me cry because this war were in affects us all for me, my ex husband he's been serving our country for almost 20years now and he's a good father a very loved father it doesn't matter that were not together and we are both happily married but it made me think if something would happen to him how life for my kids would be empty and that i'm sure he thinks of that, his main thing is that he helps keep there (our kids)world safe from the unknown so he must do what he must do.
genise
i dont give this a 10 i give it a 50 if i can. I had tears in my eyes when I was done reading. I look at the world everday and i see people, out here that just about themself and we have all those men and women giving thier live everday for us. and the mother and wife, and kids that are loseing their love ones. my heart goes out to everone may god bless and keep tham all forever and a day
LYNDA
The poem was sad, but the whole time I felt joy by the simpleness, compassion and love. It doesnt take much. but we are all so busy that we never take the time to see the beauty, joy and truth in it. this one was great
Fiona
Hey you dont know me but that poem is amazing you should never give up writting poems and should take it further if you havent alreay, i to right poems not as good as that though. keep it up. x
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