THE VOLUNTEER

Is it some secret nerve
That jerks the arm erect?
A gap that must be sealed
In a life that's not quite full?
The love and gratitude received
A foreign acclamation?
An altruistic thought-----
A special need to fill?
A fear of not belonging
Till you're buried on the hill?

Waking on the morning after
With an inner/outer
View of oneself looking ludicrous
And possibly pathetic!
A whole day for reflection.
Can you do this honorary task
Or will you mess it up again?
You are no Caesar, there's no Brutus,
This state of 'honoris causa'
Will only last a year!

Dawn McDonald
© November 2002

Midi: "March of the Pirates"
Composer: Sir Anthony Seymour Sullivan

Graphic: "Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl"