Manifest Destiny and The Silent Soldier

Silently the soldier has lain dormant, waiting without a sound for the time of transition.  His captain has fought bravely, following orders, calling to duty but patience has triumphed over strength.  It always shall.  Lying in wait takes no skill, just patience.  Fighting requires great expenditures of energy and faith, which are finite.  The captain cedes this is the manifest of destiny. 

The captain has deluded himself that he is greater than he was.  Recognizing his own weakness is a revelation of despair.  Years have passed in this manner, believing his greatest strength lie in all that is greater than he is, yet assured he was strong enough for the task.  Futility sweeps the soul.  All he believed, all he knew is false, like the prophets fronting ancient religion.  Nothing is real, but it is as it always has been.  This is what is known.  The soldier, dormant for so long has awakened to the unwitting call of the captain.

Quelling through the heart, the soldier rises.  The captain knows he is not alone.  Powerless as he is washed in fatigue, acceptance argues with reason.  The captain is so very tired.  The season of rest is nearing.  Those who would condemn the captain have not fought themselves; they do not understand the battle.  They do not know the soldier lurks.  They cannot see that which has remained hidden and quiet.  Fear engulfs every turn, inflicting a vast emptiness crowding out the light of the soul.  It is exhausting to bring light into the darkness day after day, year after year, season after season.  Winter is fast approaching.  The soldier is armed. 

The past has been spoken in ancient spirit and precedes the future.  What has been spoken cannot be changed by the will of the captain, though his life has been spent trying.  This is the despair swirling chaos deep inside his mind.  The captain understands now, as he has always known that his own life has held little meaning apart from his unit.  Acts of courage and bravery have resulted in the name of his men he could not have achieved in isolation, away from his men.  This is what destiny means, and his destiny has risen.  The soldier looms with his weapon, releasing the safety. 

The captain has achieved in love what should not have been.  Humbly, the captain acknowledges it was not the glory of his deeds which called the prophecy, but the purity of his love for his men.  He once thought his bravery was great, but now understands his love was and is what is great.  When the soldier fires his shot, it is love, which will remain.  The future belongs to the men he created in the heat of battle.  Their bravery will meet the future, a new destiny to unfold.  The soldier aims, the captain sighs.  The shot rings true and greets its mark without fail.