"Including Moderation"

He stood in line for rations, ravenous to eat his fill,
But stopped he for a meditation and his heart was still.

He tried to write a letter home and trembling held the quill,
But stopped he for a meditation and his heart was still.

He waited anxiously for enemies to charge the hill,
But stopped he for a meditation and his heart was still.

He saw the whites of their eyes, rushing forward for the kill,
But stopped he for a meditation — and his heart was still.