Awake, Arise Aspire

The call of the commander is clear in the silence.
It rings as does the bugler sound the morning post.

Awake.
Arise.
Aspire.

Awake from the deep slumber of urgent, unrestless fatigue
Arise to the challenge of the mission unfolding in stark light
Aspire to the mission of this day- to the salvation for God in all theatres and fields of struggle.

One moment stolen from the mirror reveals the lie of heroism and the darkness if glory.
The face of the warrior is not ruddy, handsome or burnished as if bronzed.
The gaze of the soldier is not initiated by bleached white eyes of clear sparkle and radiant colour.
The stance of the fighter is no longer erect, solid and straight.

In a moment, a glimpse shatters the illusion of war as glory and battle as heroic.

Truth says there is a cost in war
Truth say a warriors face is stubbled, scared, bloodied and dirty.
Truth is seen in the sunken, blood veined eyes that speak of weariness and death
Truth is found in the language of the fighter's body- sluggish yet not slow, deliberate in chaos
Truth says do not conform to the pattern of this world where war replaces offering in the guise of relief
Truth says love the enemy

Truth commands obedience
I am the Way
I am the Commander
I am the Life.


Taken from College Armoury Annual- author unknown.