Glory Days

Sitting in a silent world of contemplation

Thoughts roam untamed in fields of liberation

Gently prodding at the hidden memories inside

Conjures images of a life once full and dignified

Drifting slowly over embers of remembrance

He meanders through a maze of circumstance

Eyes sparkle once again as fireside tales expand

Recalls a life directed by another’s guiding hand

In quiet solitude he seeks peace to reminisce

Of glory days and nights of honourable service

Companions true forever standing freely by his side

Smiles at their unquestionable loyalty and pride

Bonds of dignity, respect they proudly built together

Steel within their souls, hearts gentle as a feather

In unison of spirit eternal brothers they will stand

Their lives directed by another’s guiding hand

Silence of the night invokes the horrors that he’s seen

Memories of places he wished he’d never been

Shattered lives and buildings flash before his eyes

Infestation of the soul silences the battle cries

Smile quickly fades from trembling lips in fading light

Bitter memory he’d left behind charges into sight

Brutal execution of a child in a foreign war strewn land

Simple life ended by another’s blood-stained hand

He flees once more to the sanctity of the memories of joy

The beginning of the journey of man growing from the boy

Pondering significance of all that he accomplished

Grips tightly to the whispers of memories he’s cherished

Old soldier’s time is over; all that’s left are tainted dreams

Of joyful laughter and exuberance and biting bitter screams

And each and every day awakes free at his command

A life no longer driven by another person’s hand

© Fergus Martin

2012