For the Heroic Young Officer

Psalm for the Heroic Young Officer

Listen up, you young leader of men and women
Full of fire and resolve
Listen up, you seasoned veteran
Wellspring of knowledge and unflappable guide of your country’s best
Listen up and listen well
Through capability of spirit, mind and body carefully cultivated
You have mastered yourself
Through the force of your presence, cunning and strength
You’ve scaled walls, vaulted parapets and slain the enemy
You’ve done the Impossible

But for all your magnificence and bright glory, still you will fall
Still you will fall and fail
Somehow (and you already know this, don’t you?) you fail your men
Your family
Your office and country
And even if you be the next Alexander or Napoleon

Eventually you and your deeds will be swept away in the tides of history
To be dissolved in the vast sea of indifferent eternity
What can you do then, when your soul demands perfection and achievement?
Trust in the Lord of Hosts
Commander of the Angel Armies
And your Dear Father
Spend yourself in gallant service to Him and you will see Glory