The 'Soldier Man'

So often when a soldier is far from home and family

He wonders if his service matters, does anyone really see,

The effort he puts forth for those that he has come to aid.

Should he have chosen other work... maybe stateside stayed?

But he does not question orders, and in his work takes pride.

Doing his service willingly, like the others by his side.

So of such thoughts he took control and put them from his mind,

Going tirelessly about his work, hoping some good to find.

As the soldier went about his task, he saw children gathered near,

And words he did not understand came swiftly to his ear.

The children watched him hard at work and chattered all the while.

And when the soldier looked at them, he saw them shyly smile.

Each time that he was working and the children came close by,

He heard laughter in their voices and he had to wonder why.

In this land of little comfort, each child raised in poverty,

What on earth, he often thought, the cause for smiles might be.

Sometimes mixed with this language that he did not understand,

He heard two quite familiar words, calling him the "Soldier Man."

Then one day a translator happened to be close by,

The soldier had him ask the children, "You smile, please tell me why?"

The translator gave an answer that brought the soldier cheer,

The reason for their smiles they said, "Is because YOU are here!"

So here this humbled soldier stood in a land so far away,

And learned that simply being there had made the children's day.

Now when he thinks of his duty in this foreign land,

He thinks of children smiling, calling him the "Soldier Man."

Helpful things that he has done, seen on faces, sweet and dear,

Cause him to remember that there's a good reason why he's here.