Youth that trafficked long with Death, <br />And to second life returns, <br />Squanders little time or breath <br />On his fellow--man's concerns. <br />Earned peace is all he asks <br />To fulfill his broken tasks. <br /> <br />Yet, if he find war at home <br />(Waspish and importunate), <br />He hath means to overcome <br />Any warrior at his gate; <br />For the past he buried brings <br />Back unburiable things-- <br /> <br />Nights that he lay out to spy, <br />Whence and when the raid might start; <br />Or prepared in secrecy <br />Sudden blows to break its heart-- <br />All the lore of No-Man's Land <br />Steels his soul and arms his hand. <br /> <br />So, if conflict vex his life <br />Where he thought all conflict done, <br />He, resuming ancient strife, <br />Springs his mine or trains his gun; <br />And, in mirth more dread than wrath, <br />Wipes the nuisance from his path!<br /><br />Rudyard Kipling<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-expert/
