I saw the soldier crying, but he did not know I'd seen

The look of total anguish as he stared down at the screen.

He was writing to his loved ones, just a simple, little note.

Hoping they could not read between the carefree lines he wrote.

He tried to keep it cheerful as he wrote the letter home,

Talking about the weather and the sunburn on his "dome."

He spoke of things so different from the duty he was on,

He asked about the laundry and who had mown the lawn.

But what was really on his mind, he could not write that down,

So he sat before the keyboard, on his face a sorrowful frown.

The things that he had seen so far, the things that made him cry,

Are the things that man has done to man - with no good reason why.

Things like buildings blowing up, and bombers in the sky

Lit up by tracer fire as they fly so very high.

The sounds of mortar fire, the Humvees roaring past,

The radio crackling orders, "We have to move out fast!"

And then the loud explosion, just a few short feet away,

A look of terror on the face of a friend injured that day.

The memories can come on so strong, and for too long they last,

But he's determined to see it through, until this tour has passed.

He puts the images out of mind, his composure to regain,

For this is where he's stationed, and here he shall remain.

He slowly lowers his weary head and dries his bloodshot eyes,

Shakes sand from his uniform and shoo's away the flies.

Being here is rough, 'tis true, but in his heart he knows

This is where his duty lies, and in his pride it shows.

So back to letter-writing... for the family, words of cheer,

Got to keep things pleasant for those he holds so dear.

He keeps his letters happy, his writing, it is light.

He does not tell the folks at home of last night's fire fight.

He worries more for those back home than for his peace of mind.

He's trained to be a soldier, respectful... tough, yet kind.

Have you seen the soldier crying? No, he holds his memories tight.

Because he is out there fighting, we sleep peacefully at night.

So when you see a soldier, then go up and shake his hand,

Saying, "Thank you for your service and the freedom in our land."