The Soldier’s Lot

Once I stood upon the battlefield,
My sword held high
And in the righteous cause, my blade did wield
And I did die.

Once on horse so fine I rode to war
My king to serve
With pistol and carbine, I slew a score
And fell to earth.

Once in trenches deep I crawled all day
My land to save
With machine-gun fire I cleared the way
And found my grave.

Now I watch a screen and with my hand
It’s drones I fly
Their deadly strikes will kill at my command
But I won’t die.

E.M. Swift-Hook