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The Soldier Keeps the Wolf at Bay

The soldier keeps the wolf at bay
So we may never see it.
That is why the young today
Simply don’t believe it.

You say “We see no wolf out there?
So why should we believe you?”
The wolf is hiding in his lair
The better to deceive you.

And as the light grows dimmer then
The wolf will come to prey
So hold fast to those fighting men
Who keep the wolf at bay.

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LTC Roy E. Peterson is a writer, retired U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer, Foreign Area Officer, and Foreign Commercial Officer who currently resides in Texas.

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15 Responses

  1. Cynthia Erlandson

    Excellent! I’m so grateful for all who’ve served. A blessed Veterans’ Day to you, Roy!

    Reply
      • C.B. Anderson

        If it’s a wolf, then call it a wolf. Definition is important, but recognition is a difficult task for many of our fellow Americans.

  4. Brian Yapko

    Roy, thank you for this deeply meaningful poem. That so many no longer can even recognize the wolf is dispiriting so yours is a very important wake-up call. Thank you for this poem. More importantly, thank you very much for your service to our country.

    Reply
    • Roy E. Peterson

      Wonderful comments, Brian, and thank you. I worry about the present generation!

      Reply
  5. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    Roy, I fear the wolf has ventured from its lair and is gnashing at the thin shreds of sanity this world has left. We owe a huge THANK YOU to all those who gave so much to keep that wicked wolf at bay for so long. Roy, thank you for your poetic words of wisdom and thank you very, very much for your
    service. I am most grateful for both.

    Reply
  6. Margaret Coats

    Many thanks for this sprightly warning of the wolf, and of the dangers faced when failing to recognize wolves. Today, there seems to be a perverse identification of scapegoats as wolves, with corresponding vicious attacks on those who threaten no harm. The real wolves are fed, and soldiers made powerless.

    Reply
  7. Jeff Eardley

    Roy, as we remember the fallen today, your poem sends out a powerful message to always be on our guard. We must never forget those brave souls who saved us from tyranny. Thank you so much.

    Reply
  8. Peter Hartley

    Roy – a very simple message well written, to remind our youth that because they do not see the dangers it does not mean they do not exist. Yet there are still people around who campaign for unilateral disarmament.

    Reply

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