He was getting old and paunchy, and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in, and the deeds that he had done,
And his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes every one.

Though sometimes to his neighbours, his tales became a joke,
His Legion buddies listened, for they knew where of he spoke.
But we’ll hear his tales no longer, for old "Bill" has passed away,
And the world’s a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived so very humbly; just an uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family; quietly going his way,
And the world won’t note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians die and leave us, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing, proclaiming they were great.
Papers print their story, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution, to the welfare of our land,
A guy who breaks commitments, and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country, and offers up his life?

A politician’s stipend, and the style in which he lives,
Are sometimes disproportionate, to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offers up his all,
Is paid with just a medal, and perhaps, a pension small.

It's easy to forget them, for it was so long ago,
That the old " Bills " of our Country, went to battle but we know.
It wasn’t the politicians, with their promises and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom, that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician, with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you want a seasoned soldier, who knows how to defend,
His home, his kin and Country, and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier, and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us, we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier’s part,
Is to clean up all the troubles, that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honour, while he’s here to hear the praise,
Then at least let’s give him homage, at the ending of his days.
Perhaps, a simple headline, in a paper it could say,
Our country is in mourning... for a soldier died today.

Larry Vaincourt