ADIEU, O soldier! <br /> You of the rude campaigning, (which we shared,) <br /> The rapid march, the life of the camp, <br /> The hot contention of opposing fronts--the long manoeuver, <br /> Red battles with their slaughter,--the stimulus--the strong, terrific <br /> game, <br /> Spell of all brave and manly hearts--the trains of Time through you, <br /> and like of you, all fill'd, <br /> With war, and war's expression. <br /> <br /> Adieu, dear comrade! <br /> Your mission is fulfill'd--but I, more warlike, <br /> Myself, and this contentious soul of mine, 10 <br /> Still on our own campaigning bound, <br /> Through untried roads, with ambushes, opponents lined, <br /> Through many a sharp defeat and many a crisis--often baffled, <br /> Here marching, ever marching on, a war fight out--aye here, <br /> To fiercer, weightier battles give expression.<br /><br />Walt Whitman<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/adieu-to-a-solider/
