I hugged a soldier.

I hugged a strong, brave soldier today
As I'd not hugged him before -
I hugged a dear, loved soldier today;
A soldier, called off to war.


A strong embrace, with vice-grip arms
Lungs squeezed, vacant of air
But it wasn't just that muscled hug
That left me breathless there.

For he told me of the day he wore
His uniform, well-pressed;
the wreaths he bore to each white stone -
a soldier laid to rest.

The landscape stretching miles on miles
laid hauntingly akin
to plantation made to raise in rows
the memories of men.

Each one was born, each one was lost;
Each one a son, a brother;
Each one had offered and received
a bear hug from another.


And so today, with solemnity
I hugged that soldier dear
An embrace that said, 'I'll keep you safe
And I'll see you next year'.


I hugged a strong, brave soldier today
A hug from an infantryman
I hugged a dear, loved soldier today...

And I prayed I'd hug him again.