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Poetry from within
   

Abusing of Position


Shoulders back, stood tall and proud

An officer addresses the new recruits

New to battalion, just passed out of training

Young soldiers stand quivering in their boots



His opening refrain full of cursing and swearing

Their first impression of their leader they see

A mouthy young officer not much older than them

Telling them just how life in battalion will be



By shouting and yelling this young officer thinks

He’ll frighten them into showing respect

But the truth of the matter is mere wasted breath

His words have had the opposite effect



His arrogant manner just proved to the soldiers

That their leader is no better than they

He may be an officer but he is ignorant and crude

Any ounce of respect was lost that day



The soldiers carry out their role for their own self respect

But their hearts are not focussed anymore

All due to a leader abusing his rank

They wonder what the hell they joined for



Morale is so low, the officer beasts them more

He’s blinded by power and rank

Some of them go AWOL he can’t understand why

But he’s only himself to thank



They want to complain but they know all too well

That it will fall back on them far, far worse

One day they will snap, so they keep it inside

Eating away at them like a curse



When the day comes for this officer to lead

These soldiers to far distant lands

Any lives lost under his command

Will leave him with their blood on his hands



How can this officer who abuses his position

Think he can lead men to war?

He’s a disgrace to the forces, his cap badge and rank

That’s not what his rank slide is for



The military structure is much like a tree

Where the roots need respect as do all

They’re just as important as the highest of ranks

Disrespect them and the whole tree will fall


Michaela Turner