Reflection on the "Soldier"

The soldier is a poem that presents war in a new different perspective. Commonly, war poems are about the emotional trauma, devastating bloodshed and aftereffects that one has felt and witnessed after the war has ended.

Reflections:

from my contextual knowledge, national service is compulsory for Singaporeans men that are 18 year old, able-bodied. Singapore is a small country with limited human resources. It would be difficult for us to maintain a professional army as it is costly and with the high standards or living, most men would rather choose not to do so. However, possessing an army is essential as defence should be a priority which may result to Singapore being vulnerable without one and thus prone to invasions or assaults by other countries if that ever happens.

War changes people's views and one might turn into a hero or a coward depending on the nature of one. The mentally strong would be able to go through war and fight for a purpose, e.g. protecting their country. I would like to perceive me as being patriotic. Our country has given us a home to live in, an environment to grow in, free from all types of natural disaster thus we should be able to give back to our country. Even though Singapore is small and vulnerable ( a little red dot on the globe), we must give it our all to protect our home, enduring all hardships and defending till our deaths. I would like to think that if i ever die, i would not die in regret. Living a life of regret is both torturous mentally and emotionally. I am willing to give my life for the country that has nurtured, educated and taught me the moral values of what it means to be human for i will never be able to repay the kindness she has given to me.