A Boy Grows To a Man

As I watched you step off that bus Standing so tall and true. I wiped a tear from my eye It didn't seem like you. What happened to the little boy I sent away that day? The one so full of boyish charm Always ready to play. I took a minute, and looked real hard I gazed into your eyes. I couldn't put my finger on it And then, to my surprise... I realized the boy had gone and a man had taken his place. This man before my eyes had seen another place. A place not many understand not sure he always had. But still he went willingly to protect against the bad. Of things he's seen, of things he's done I'm sure I'll never hear. But the fact he stands before me eases all my fears. He took his hand, and wiped my face then asked, "Hey what's wrong today?" I placed his face between my hands then whispered, "My baby went away." He smiled, and kissed my cheek then wiped another tear. Then stood real tall, and squared away and said "Mommy, I'm right here". (This poem is dedicated to my son LCpl Richard Caseltine, USMC