One Toy Soldier

One Toy Soldier

Little toy soldiers are all put away
Training is over for this time of day.
Where do these little boys go now to play?
Away from their home to die in the fray.

Little toy weapons are no longer there
But boxed in attics by mothers with care--
Where keepsakes still hold a lock of his hair--
While rockets and missles challenge his fare.

Little toy bad guys and little toy good
Haze in the distance when misunderstood.
Where fall the lilies on long crates of wood
And each gave their all--as good soldiers should...

Little toy soldiers are coming back home...
Mothers are weeping, laments all alone
Where flags lie folded--the gift of Shalom...
As the long box is lowered...'neath the loam

One little toy soldier is placed on the top
Remembering All--so that None be Forgot.

   
deborah burch©                            
4/14/2012
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Pettit Avatar
April 4, 2021 at 2:18 PM
If this one was a winner in a contest, then congratulations. This was good enough to deserve it.
Burch Avatar
April 4, 2021 at 7:02 PM
Robert!!! Thank you so much for reading and wonderful comment!! If I recall correctly it was for the “Holding out for a Hero” contest but for the life of me, I don’t recall who sponsored it! ?? and it did win...lol...I hope you’re doing well!! Big huggs!! Deb
Pettit Avatar
April 4, 2021 at 2:17 PM
If this one was a winner in a contest, then congratulations. This was good enough to deserve it.
O'Leary Avatar
May 12, 2012 at 5:17 PM
Very moving... Terry
Burch Avatar
May 12, 2012 at 9:51 PM
:) thank you Terry...huggs, love deb
Brown Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 1:13 PM
Congratulations on your win in the "Holding out for a Hero" contest Deborah. Love, Carol
Burch Avatar
May 13, 2012 at 3:25 PM
thank you sooooo much Carol!!! big hugs, love ya, deb
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Belated Congratulations on your win Deb xx
Burch Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Hey ~GG~ I have missed you girl! thank you and big congrats on all your successes...and publications!!!whoot whooot! Well Done!! big hugs,love ya deb
Guzzi Avatar
May 6, 2012 at 9:33 AM
sigh..trained from the minute they are born to be 'little soldiers' my son was never given toys of war BUT he did gravitate toward Transformers & Star Wars! Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
Burch Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 12:12 PM
thank you Debbie, so very very much!! :)
Taylor Avatar
May 6, 2012 at 8:01 AM
Congrats on your win, Deb. Beautiful write, my friend. Nice going. Kudos. Thanks for your kind words. luv and hugs, Ralph
Burch Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 12:13 PM
thank you Ralph! :)
Johnson Avatar
May 6, 2012 at 5:05 AM
yes heart wrenching and true, well done here Babe....:(
Burch Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Thank you again dear Don...hope all is well in Oz...big hugs, love your work I've been reading...:)
Quigley Avatar
May 5, 2012 at 9:29 PM
Just beautiful Deborah.
Burch Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 12:14 PM
:) thank you Bob
Johnson Avatar
May 5, 2012 at 6:08 PM
So very well written. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Burch Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 12:15 PM
thank you Joyce :) huggsss...
Song Avatar
May 5, 2012 at 3:17 PM
Another smashing win! Love the back-n-forth of youth to adulthood in this outstanding rhyme! Congrats again....again...and again! Awesome job! Gwendolen
Burch Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 12:16 PM
thank you so much Gwendolen! your encouragement is such a treasure to me!! :)
Susan Avatar
April 16, 2012 at 8:36 AM
amazing poem. such depth! I love how you connected the toy soldiers to real soldiers - powerful ending. FAV poem :)
Burch Avatar
April 16, 2012 at 8:52 AM
:) awww...thank you Susan--so much! big hugs...I've missed you!!!:D love,deb
Andresen Avatar
April 16, 2012 at 1:29 AM
Well done Deborah, bless the soldier.... - oxox Anne-Lise
Burch Avatar
April 16, 2012 at 5:41 AM
Amen Anne-Lise!! thank you so much my dear friend!! big hugs,love deb
Johnson Avatar
April 15, 2012 at 5:22 AM
very good poetry ...gave me a shiver...
Burch Avatar
April 16, 2012 at 5:40 AM
thank you Don....very much indeed...bigh hugs and hope you are well, love deb
Dietrich Avatar
April 14, 2012 at 8:05 PM
wow, this is deep. This is sad and this is GOOD writing!!!! (my son too was a marine. Thankfully he got out right before Iraq)
Burch Avatar
April 16, 2012 at 5:39 AM
Thank you my sweet friend!! That means so much! I pray your dad is doing well.!? you are in my thoughts...big hugs,love deb
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