"...despite his stature, he found himself surrounded and overwhelmed.
right in the middle of things, trying to pull a balance...
..is a bad place as fore-warned afterall.
maybe he over-estimated the broadness of his shoulders to take things.
whatever the reason, he's finding himself to be smaller than he ever realised.
he looked for mouths that bring encouragement and appreciation,
out poured crescendos of unmet expectations instead.
the opened hands he hoped to find acceptance in,
was outstretched to deliver tight slaps to the cheeks instead.
eyes that he looked into hoping to find acknowledgement in,
rolled in anger and sarcasm.
shoulders he had hoped to cry in,
nudged him away in rejection.
arms he wished that would provide a supporting hold,
choked him instead.
familiar backs that should have lent a support,
have turned and left.
hearts that had promised to reserve a special place for him to pour out on,
have now been nailed shut.
oh the agony and anguish of pain and frustration that has to be swallowed.
in time, he would forget the sweet taste of tears from being loved, touched and joyful.
all the tears that rolled into his mouth,
now tasted bitter and sour.
he may jolly well have been wrong in many things, many times.
but he does not ask for excuse.
only to be heard.
finally, he slumped.
what wouldn't he give,
just to hear a familiar voice or song of appreciation, love and comfort.
but it's all over now.
for this day when the people found him,
he lied motionless under the weight of tension.
for he has been....
...belittled, to death."
'Wounded Soldier'