The Face of a Soldier

A little girl saw him from a distance...
He looked tired and rugged and dust covered him
He sat down, and he set his helmet aside
His uniform was torn though his vest was secured
The weapon he carried was strapped off to the side
and deadly shaped bullets hung down in a line

Unlike many others she didn't flinch at all
For her childlike heart could see so much more
Her heart saw a hero she searched for so long
And so she inched forward with tiptoes so soft
She knelt next to him and saw a beautiful cross
He clasped it real close in the palm of his hand

She heard him let out a sigh and a prayer
Give me strength Lord to make it through this day
He reached in his pocket and a letter was there
He opened it carefully and found a picture of her
His attention was wrapped up in the written words
And with tears in his eyes he kissed the picture too

With a tug on his arm and a faint little smile
The little girl said, Soldier, why do you cry?
Startled, he looked up at his new little friend
Oh darling, its memories of home and my wife that I miss
Then proudly he showed her his picture so dear

The little girl wrapped her arms around him
She looked into his face and smiled with a grin
I'm the luckiest girl that ever could be
For you left your home to bring freedom to me
I see so much love in your beautiful eyes
Thank you dear soldier for your sacrifice