SOLDIER

The soldier is the priest

Of America in uniform

Carrying the conscience

Attracting the attentive

Admiration off passers by

Doors generously open

Food laid out abundantly

Special space reserved

Welcome home from war

To the peace of Christmas

The excited nervous pride

Laying down his confident

Clean-cut life in the bed

Of his childhood passed

Where he sleeps alone

And no one is able to know

Or hold in consolation

The terror of his nightmares