To a Soldier

 Little boy, you cannot fool me.
Though you pose with a scowl, and try to look brave,
Underneath your helmet, I see you are a child.
Your blue eyes, now hard, once wept for fear of monsters,
And your lips, now pursed, once brushed my cheek,
And your little hands, now clenched, once held my own.
Little boy, though your blue eyes have swept
Through deadly streets, and seen corpses
Remember not to grow hard.
Though your lips have uttered cries and curses,
Remember that words are empty.
Though your little hands have caressed loose women,
Remember that experience is not wisdom,
And that knowledge is not skill.
Little boy, come home to me,
For I was foolish to let you go.
My eyes weep for fear of your monsters,
And my lips utter prayers for your safety,
And my hands, large, calloused and dry, long for your own.
Little boy, my darling child,
Do not you think that the world is ugly,
Though surely, war is.
Do not you think that there is no hope,
Though surely, it may be small.
Do not you think that you shall die,
Though surely, all shall sleep.
And do not you think that you are alone,
For truly, I go sleepless for love of you.

                                  -R. Stonesteel