Under the Crisp Uniform

Medals and ribbons adorn my chest like old steamer trunk stickers
Showing where and when I deployed around this vast troubled globe

A gray and worn patriot who did all that his country asked
Twice to war, strolling between landmines, risking it all

Baby blue eyes sparkle from a face weathered by duty
Still able to run three miles every day before breakfast

This physicist-philosopher-poet, a truly flawed Renaissance Man
Blessed to have been a betrayer and to feel deepest betrayal

The toughest battles raged inside, fought with silencers
Triumphing over nicotine, alcohol, bipolar, and even suicide

Faced death, great failure, and a Mistress's leather strap
But my greatest fear, ultimately becoming a tired old cliche

Looking back at it all, I have no real regrets
Having lived my life and not been a mere spectator

As the sun sets on three decades of salutes and sacrifice
I look forward to closing this chapter and penning the next