An Answerless Question, Sonnetary Options

[jgdittier]

His picture placed upon the page appears.
How  poignant be his smile, forever gone.
He's served our cause, he's earned our honest cheers,
But yesterday, he saw his final dawn.
We lose each day a man, like he, or more,
A hero, he, who ne'er can be replaced.
It's he, the price we pay in ev'ry war.
In human terms, the loss too great a waste.*
*this is the thought addressed in the closing couplet

Were he not there, we'd still have slavery.
Were he not there, our arms would rise with "Heil!"
Were he not there, there be no bravery.
Were he not there, there'd be no life worthwhile.

With but this thought no cause can earn its keep.
Can e'er the cost of freedom be too steep?