Bury Me with Soldiers

Daniel Seidenberg, U.S. Army Ret., of Santa Barbara, served alongside Father Fink and sends his poem to commemorate Memorial Day.

I’ve played a lot of roles in life;

I’ve met a lot of men.

I’ve done some things I’d like to think

I wouldn’t do again

And though I’m young, I’m old enough

To know someday I’ll die.

And think about what lies beyond, And

Besides whom I would lie.

Perhaps it doesn’t matter much;

Still if I had my choice,

I’d want a grave amongst soldiers when

At last death quells my voice

I’m sick of the hypocrisy

Of lectures by the wise

I’ll take the man with all his flaws

Who goes, though scared, and dies.

The troops I know were commonplace;

They didn’t want the war

They fought because their fathers and

Their father’s fathers had before.

They cursed and killed and wept –

God knows they’re easy to deride –

But bury me with men like these;

They faced the guns and died.

It’s funny when you think of it,

The way we got along.

We’d come from different worlds

To live in one, where no one belongs

I didn’t even like them all and,

I’m sure they’d all agree.

Yet, I would give my life for them,

I hope. Some would for me.

So bury me with soldiers, please

Though much maligned they be

Yes, bury me with soldiers, for

I miss their company.

We will not soon see their like again

We’ve had our fill of war.

But, bury me with men like them

Till someone else does more!