THOSE WHO SERVE

I met a retired Soldier, I met a retired Doctor, I met a retired Teacher— But I’ve never met a retired Preacher. I learnt what respect truly means, The weight of pain and quiet devotion, The love behind being a soldier— Dying for a nation that might forget you. Even retiring feels like a battle won. The Doctor too saves lives, Sweating with a racing heart, Carrying the hopes of a whole family, Knowing they believe: “He will save them.” And bearing the pain of saying, “I’m sorry… we lost him.” The Teacher was only loved By the students inside the classroom. Underrated by both government and community— Yet holds the power to change them both. Still, he shapes tomorrow with a parent's care. The Preacher is like a debt collector. His sainthood makes him almost divine. He leads with calm and faithful words— Gaining little bits here and there, While the believer holds onto every promise. So, I chose to learn. To grow into a Teacher, To be loved by my students, To shape a world we all dream of. And through the Preacher— To learn how to give hope.