I could have been a soldier

I could have been a soldier

Who dug his own grave

A boy who died

Before needing a shave

I could have been an author

Who never was read

Been the Kings taster

And ended up dead

Been a cast iron kettle

A fireplace or rug

A basin of water

An earthenware jug

I could have been a lost boy

Asleep in a cave

I could have been hungry

I could be a slave

Tried to climb a mountain

Sailed the high sea

Walked through a forest

Climbed a tall tree

Woke from a nightmare

Buried in a grave,

Cried like a baby,

I could have been brave.