Fade Away Soldiers

 I watch old soldiers disappear,

while I was there, like there was here.
Here I sit, and write of soldiers
disappearing, heads from shoulders.

Soldier on, I heard him whisper
from a distance close as this, for
I watched a soldier disappear
while I was there, like there was here.

On what, I asked him, should I soldier
here? I'm clearly getting older
watching soldiers in despair
while I sit here, like here was there.

This is where he disappeared, see.
So you know my mission clearly.
I watch old soldiers disappear
while I sit there like they're right here.