My Daily Prayer Poem by Mark Heathcote

Worse treatment than animals in abattoir stockades
Soldiers have fallen into the hands of butchers.
They've been maimed, tortured, and suffered.
They've lost limbs but in the fullness of time?
Met challenges head-on and slew their old demons.
Ultimately, by God's grace, faith beats each enemy.

These fearsome fighters refuse to be enslaved.
These men and women have felt ripsaw bullets.
Burning and exploding grenades
And at low-ebb, become our greatest heroes.
Rehabilitation prepares them for healing inroads.
Without hatred or hubris, millstones, but hang on.

Our forthright defenders have financial worries.
Like anyone else, housing is needed, not charity.
The military needs help to forge a sustainable future.
Wars fought for our homeland. Protect the mainland
It takes an iron will at great personal expense.
It takes strength and courage to defend the weak.
 
To guard them and shield them from tyrants and criminals.
There's no winner in these hard-fought battles.
That friend can only be flag-waving vanity.
Right now, let's not boast or despair.
Let's hope optimism and peace prevail everywhere.
It's, by all means, fair. That's my daily prayer.