Oh Soldier Man²

A Funeral Song for the State’s Favourite Fool

Oh Soldier Man, so strong, so brave,
You marched to meet an unmarked grave.
No helmet, boots, or working gun,
But orders barked beneath the sun.

They sent you north to chase a name,
To fight a ghost inside a flame.
No food, no map, no medics near,
Just empty threats and staged veneer.

The ones you fought now dance in town,
With fresh white robes and cap and gown.
They bombed a school, then “made amends,”
And joined the army with your friends.

You saw your killer switch his vest,
Now drills beside you like the rest.
He smiles and waves, salutes the flag,
While you drink meds from a leaky bag.

Your legs are gone, your spine is fried,
Your wife has begged until she died.
Your children roam in torn-out shoes,
While senators buy French shampoos.

They called you hero on the air,
But left you rotting on a chair.
They snapped your pic, they shook your hand,
Then sent you home to eat the sand.

The athletes win a condo suite.
The poets get designer seat.
A singer croaks into a mic,
The President sends her a bike.

But you, good tool, with bleeding chest,
Receive a badge and viral jest.
They use your pain to pad their speech,
Then leave your brain cells out of reach.

They told your corpse, “You died for peace.”
They meant “to keep our oil lease.”
They meant “to guard a banker’s fence.”
They meant “to die at no expense.”

The barracks leak, your bed is foul.
Your blood was drained by tribal howl.
They buried you with rented drums,
Then ordered lunch and sucked their thumbs.

You served them well, you knew your place.
You vanished with obedient grace.
You killed their foes and bore their lies,
Then died beneath their empty skies.

Your children learn to fake respect.
They smile, salute, and genuflect.
They know the truth but hold their tongue,
That Soldier Man died cheap and young.

So here you lie, brave, blind, and used,
Your body wrecked, your mind abused.
They sip champagne while widows weep,
And Soldier Man sinks six feet deep.