Courage...
Strength...
Pride is what holds them back
From the wars going on in the barracks
With fear of running their hard-earned reputations
Too often resulting into misery and frustration
But courage kept pulling them back to those places
They've vowed to never return, out of cowardliness
Nerves in their minds kept on shaking
But their legs kept on walking
Their arms, cradling the guns
Their backs, carrying the ammunition
Their faces, shading against the sand and wind
Their ears, straining to hear the marchers proudly sing
They may be worn to their bones
They may be crying 'cause they're alone
They may be scared of dying
Still, they're always trying
Out of their indescribable strength
They all went out to amazing lengths
Saving the others instead of their own
Still, they fight so they could go home
The hills were red by the end of the day
The guns and ammo were all packed and stored away
The soldiers all but went to sleep, dreaming up only nightmares
But somehow, some way, they knew war was ending here
Thus came the dawn and a voice on the red phone
Saying, "the war is over-- come on back home"
Traces of joy appeared clearly on their battered faces
Tears of relief were running a river of happiness
Transportation arrived the following afternoon
They filed in, anxiously waiting to be home soon
White clouds enveloped them, soothing their warped minds
Rain began to fall, their hands outstretched to find
The droplets, full of forgiveness that binds
The wetness, so cool on their sand-burned hinds
The shapes, too complex to understand
A hour or two, a prick of green came in sight
Growing and growing, the colors of USA came in light
They were back at last, back to their boys and girls
To their wives and husbands, back to their worlds