He writes to us most every day, and how his letters thrill us! <br /> I can't describe the joys with which his quaint expressions fill us. <br /> He says the military life is not of his selection, <br /> He's only soldiering to-day to give the Flag protection. <br /> But since he's in the army now and doing duties humble, <br /> He'll do what all good soldiers must, and he will never grumble. <br /> <br /> He's not so keen for standing guard, a lonely vigil keeping, <br /> 'But when I must,' he writes to us, 'they'll never find me sleeping! <br /> I hear a lot of boys complain about the tasks they set us <br /> And there's no doubt that mother's meals can beat the ones they get us, <br /> But since I'm here to do my bit, close to the job I'm sticking; <br /> I'll take whatever comes my way and waste no word in kicking. <br /> <br /> 'I'd like to be a captain, dad, a major or a colonel, <br /> I'd like to get my picture in some illustrated journal; <br /> I don't exactly fancy jobs that now and then come my way, <br /> Like picking bits of rubbish up that desecrate the highway. <br /> But still I'll do those menial tasks as cheerfully as could one, <br /> For while I am a private here I'm going to be a good one. <br /> <br /> 'A soldier's life is not the way I'd choose to make my living, <br /> But now I'm in the ranks to serve, my best to it I'm giving. <br /> Oh, I could name a dozen jobs that I'd consider finer, <br /> But since I've got this one to do I'll never be a whiner. <br /> I'm just a private in the ranks, but take it from my letter, <br /> They'll never fire your son for one who'll do his duty better.'<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-good-soldier-2/
