Paper Soldier

---The Paper Soldier---

Once there lived a soldier-boy,
quite brave, one can't be braver,
but he was merely a toy
for he was made of paper.

He wished to alter everything,
and be the whole world's helper,
but he was puppet on a string,
a soldier made of paper.

He'd bravely go through fire and smoke,
he'd die for you. No vapour.
But he was just a laughing-stock,
a soldier made of paper.

You would mistrust him and deny
your secrets and your favour.
Why should you do it, really, why?
`cause he was made of paper.

He dreads the fire? Not at all!
One day he cut a caper
and died for nothing; after all,
he was a piece of paper.
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Obviously not my own work but the work of Bulat Okudzhava a russian poet. Personally one of my favorite poems.