A Soldier's Story Poem by Jim Boone

A Soldier's Story



After the security of childhood
And before the insecurity
Of the second childhood
I found young men known as Soldiers.

I liked what I discovered, except for
A type known as First Sergeants.

Soldiers come in assorted sizes,
Weights, states of sobriety,
Misery, playfulness and confusion.

Girls/guys love them, mothers worry about them,
The US-of-A supports them and no matter
What their leanings, they somehow
Manage to get along with each other.

A Soldier is laziness with a deck of cards;
A millionaire without a cent; bravery
With a grin; the protector of our country
With the latest copy of playboy in his
Possession at all times, under the
Watchful eye of his buddies.

A Soldier is a composite: Sly as a fox,
The energy of a turtle, the brains of
An idiot, the sincerity of a fibber,
The appetite of an elephant, the
Aspirations of Casanova and the
Story of a hero with future intent.

When a Soldier wants something,
It's usually a 3-day pass; special duty
Or someone to walk guard duty and
Pull his KP duties now and again.


A Soldier dislikes answering letters,
Wearing his dress uniform, his
Superior officers, getting up for reveille,
Arm chow, Army transportation, the
Week before payday, his girl's old man's
Curfew, not being able to do what comes
Naturally as often as he would like,
And paratroopers (usually) .

A Soldier likes girls, women, ladies,
Females, and sometimes other guys.

No one can write so seldom, yet
Think of you so often. No one else
Can get so much fun out of letters
From home or sweethearts, civilian
Clothes, sex magazines and videos
And being on leave, with nobody watching.

A Soldier is a magical creature who can
Turn any time into magic time. You
Can lock him out of your home, but
Not out of your heart. You can take him
Off your mailing list, but not out of your mind.

"Attench-hut! ! " "Hup 2 3 4! " "Drop down
And give me 20 soldier! ! " I'm not a slave,
I'm a US of A Soldier with a Capital S! !



1961

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Jim Boone

Jim Boone

McKinney, Texas
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