His Background

This enlisted soul
At eighteen years old
Barely a man
Not even street wise told

From the proms, to the camp
He kits out tomorrow
His future he stamps
Never knowing bloodied sorrow

In just under a year
He's older and wiser
To a theatre so different
Says his military adviser

Overseas he heads
Thoughts of back home
What goes through his mind
In eighteen years old roam

Where could he have been
In so short a time
Colouring books
Making joining words rhyme

As he looks to his background
What does he see
An eagle soaring
In the land of the free

The statue of liberty
And the bill of rights
With the thirteen stripes
And the stars to delight

He is just a boy
In grown up clothes
Another one lost
To a cause we will loathe




http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/war-4.php
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Kendrick Avatar
October 22, 2009 at 10:29 AM
So young and so many going away for the wrong reasons. You have done an excellent write here revealing the way it is in life. Sara
Haick Avatar
October 22, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Another good write,James. Thank you for continuing to bring to our attention this problem of our "children" having to go to war. I can not believe that children are being sacrificed daily to keep the peace in this world!! What is the UN doing? The organization needs to be re-evaluated and re-structured. There's more rhetoric and partying than anything else! It is not fulfilling its purpose!!! I am sorry, James. I get so upset about this!
Loving Iii Avatar
October 22, 2009 at 8:14 AM
ok i can tear up a little. and patriotic and proud i do feel. but cheated is the word that comes to mind for our young men. the best ones they go and leave the cowardly trash behind. but the cause out weighs the greed in Gods eyes. God bless our boys and girls. jhl
Richards Avatar
October 22, 2009 at 7:44 AM
A wonderful description of the youth that pay the price, for a cause that we loathe! What a powerful message! ~ Carrie
Griffiths Avatar
October 22, 2009 at 6:14 AM
I love this poem James I will add it to my favourites. Thanks for your many comments. Pam.
Devonshire Avatar
October 22, 2009 at 6:14 AM
Very powerful poem, James! We do send our innocent ones off to war and they return to us with the scars incurred while seeing almost unimaginable suffering for the first time. I had a cousin who was lighthearted and loving when he left for war, but returned filled with hate and bitterness. Hopefully, he will make a recovery. I pray for Steve every day. God bless you for shedding light on how this must feel for the young ones who trade coloring books for weapons. Magnificent write! Carolyn
Hilliker Avatar
October 21, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Awesome poem, James! It's one of my favs. We DO loathe the cause. Blessings to the young man.
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