Once a Soldier

once a soldier, a brother a spouse a father, a buyer, the head of a house one winter month on a Valentine's day a very long time since you went away a son, a lover, an ornery pest a fixer, destroyer like some of the rest blamed it on battles, long over- hard fought scars there are many from turmoil they brought a legacy of anger and one of despair a legion of others who've also been there a memory that lives, well instilled in a child maybe not deserved, but given with smiles