The Anguish of Ignorance

The agony of not knowing a soldier fate The pity of knowing you were too late. The gnawing pain at your heart and soul The fact that your soldier would never grow old. Not even a dog tag to remember them by No official grave in which they lie. No headstone to adorn, no place to leave flowers A candle snuffed out by enemy powers. Only pictures, fast fading away Remind us of them who were amazing in their day. Yet their day of triumph, their honorable feats Will never be forgotten, as long as our hearts beat. But not knowing how they fell, done in by friend or foe A painless death is what we all hope. The worry, the anguish, not knowing their demise The tears of a mother, widow, sister, may Heaven hear their cries! The terrible facts of life, prematurely enforced But they gave the ultimate sacrifice, without regret nor remorse. The death of a parent, sibling, or friend One cannot help but wonder when all wars will end. Whether a prisoner, killed in action, or sailor lost at sea Those patriots fought for their country courageously. They gave their lives for freedom and equality, in the pursuit of evil men But that is sometimes little comfort, since we don’t know how, where nor when. No plot to spread leaves over, to tell of their bravery How they fought to win, fought against death, and fought for you and me. Though memory might fade, their untarnished legacy is strong As they march in the very same boots as our warriors, marching right along.