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Boys Now Men

A month ago I sat in class
in a New England School for boys
Now, I'm in a bomber group
Adjusting to the noise

I made plans for Harvard
A doctor, I would be
Then my life would turn
In a way I didn't see

The war was on in Europe
We saw in the press
But, 18 days before Christmas
we were pulled into the mess

Future plans were put aside
Our country we'd support
We'd forget all of our future thoughts
We'd join, though not for sport

We signed up down in Boston
Young men flyers, soldiers all
Preparing for a battle
Many would not live till fall

We thought not of our future
Our present, all we had
Many dead by Christmas next
The thought is truly sad

You do not what you want to
But, what needs to be done
You go from boy to man so fast
You've barely walked...now run

Think back on those who made it
Remember who did not
Young men they are forever
They deserve a longer thought

The air is pure and holy
It is scattered with young souls
Boys, now men who went to war
And put aside their goals

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018




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Date: 2/10/2019 10:27:00 PM
Shades of John Knowles, "A Separate Peace" in shared themes... Nicely done, Roger! ~ Gershon
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Turner Avatar
Roger Turner
Date: 2/14/2019 11:47:00 AM
that was a good book. I think we read it in grade 9 or 10. Thanks for putting me, at least in the same sentence as John Knowles
Date: 6/5/2018 1:20:00 AM
Your poem is so moving and so true, that in a moments notice how our lives can be changed forever, so sad. I give thanks to all the service people who fought for us and have put aside their goals and given their lives. Well written Roger....Donna
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