Only a Daddy Could Know
As the young soldier returns home to family and friends,
From a war where he was needed, and he served honorably to protect and defend.
But the problem he now faces is embedded deep and it’s ripping at his soul,
As he meets family and friends he’s wishing he could just crawl back in his hole.
He had taken the life of a young boy that summer evening that was leading a goat,
He knew something was not right cause the young boy was wearing a heavy overcoat.
They had their perimeters set but the boy ignored the warning cries as he approached their site,
He pleaded with the boy to stop as he had him in his rifles sight.
He prayed to God and pulled the trigger and the boy exploded in the night,
And now he cannot close his eyes without reliving this horrible sight.
He had no choice had he not fired the boy could have killed his whole platoon,
What kind of people would sacrifice children, only lunatics and goons.
He wanted to tell his parents but the words just would not form,
As he hugged his mother and gently patted her arm.
And his dad looked at him and said son that’s a mighty heavy burden I see you’re a packing,
His dad could always read him like a book and knew his son had problems that needed tackling.
Dad placed his old arms around him and the young soldier sobbed with pent up grief,
He said son you’re going to be fine, just trust in God and let those tears bring you relief.
When you’re ready to tell the story you know I’ve always been your friend,
And I’ll always be there for you till the very end.
Copyright © Ronald Bingham | Year Posted 2008
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