To the Unknown Soldier

You, Unknown, are,
I am told,
An honorable man.


I know you talk to us,
Your words touching some,
Ignored by others.
But you talk to us still,
In moments of trial
When we ourselves
Need reaffirmation
Of the ideals for which you died.


Keep steady,
Dear soldier,
For we are in need of inspiration
In cynical times.
You remain our hero still.
You are us
And we you
When war makes us one.
You are the braver of us.
You die so that we may live.
You are the keeper of
Our honor.
You breathe in the flag
That waves in the wind.


You are
I am told,
Only one of many.
A reminder that we live
As we do only because
You laid down your life
With no questions asked.


You are
I am told,
An honorable man.
A most honorable man you are,
indeed.

I salute you.

Aleksandra Rebic
1983/2008