Forever a Soldier

by beautiful-cas

"I was born to play only this role" John Watson is a trained soldier. A poem of couplets describing his struggles to distance his old life from the one he is living now. He left danger when he left the war, but danger follows Sherlock like night follows day...and John can't help but reminisce.

From soldier to civilian, tank to train,

Specks of flying mud, to dull English rain.

Change is abundant, the difference is clear,

Yet the feeling inside; here is there, there is here.

Enemies to enemies, blood to blood,

Innocent lives lost in the continual flood.

Case by case, lie by lie,

Actions as dark as the midnight sky.

Danger the war-front, yet danger is here,

Wherever I go it seems danger is near.

But he is like fire, he burns through the air,

His knowledge, his cunning. Cheekbones and hair.

Sergeant, Detective. Leader, control.

It appears I was born to play only this role.

Forever a soldier, never a man,

Duty to protect and fight for this land.

Enemies to enemies, blood to blood,

Battle on the streets, battle in the mud.

From home to trench, from trench to where?

My home is lost: not here, not there.

Void of duty, my purpose is blurred,

"Fire!" they shouted, 'fire' the word-

Fire is my purpose now, my duty is him,

To stand by his side, to fight and to win.

Forever a soldier, unable to mend,

Now a colleague, and for the first time: a friend.

I'll let you know now: I never write poetry. But some of these couplets danced in my head and begged to be put on paper! Please tell me if you liked it…or if you didn't.