Where Heroes Come From

     A boy steps off a military bus,

Already on his way to becoming a man.

His hands shake slightly as he gathers his bag,

Already dreading the hotter-than-hell sand.

 

     The sweat is pouring down his body

As he tries to hold his gun in place.

His muscles are straining beyond endurance

As he marches in formation round the base.

 

     The classes are pressing,

Nearing his bounds.

He studies hard, expanding numerous possiblities,

Then he finishes with artilery rounds.

 

     Then the call of war sounds,

Bringing with it fear only a soldier can understand.

The boy leaves his native soil behind

For the bomb-created forgien sand.

 

     He learns what true sacrifice is

When his brothers fall from the enemies gun.

He then looks to his comanding officer

And he realizes where heroes come from.

 

     A man who can go through hell,

Come out alive, and choose to go back again

Has courage rarely seen in life,

Doing it not for glory, but for his friend.