On the subject of just keeping on going despite, I humbly offer the following:
The Soldier
Battlefield behind him,
Ground awash with copper rain,
Drowning out the hurt and pain.
He wanders off, marches on,
Head still filled with blazing guns,
With muffled shouts and quiet screams
That haunt his thoughts and roam his dreams.
His face is dark, his hair is fair,
His eyes are brown, his skin still bears
The scars which lie unhealed inside.
His backpack lies on shoulders broad,
And at his side, where once a sword
There would have lain in days of old,
A pistol made from plastic cold.
Lifting his head, squinting his eyes,
Peering towards the flaming skies,
He spots a plane to take him away –
Off to fight another day;
For fight he must and fight he will
And fight until the Earth stand still –
Though battles may be won and lost
The war goes on despite the cost.
He marches on, despite it all.