Soldier

As I laced up my tennis shoes I hurried to meet up with you and ran to find you getting off the bus And when I saw you standing there in uniform so debonair I was hoping everyone would notice us As you picked up your duffel bag we walked, and you took off your cap and put it on my forehead just for fun And as my curiosity began to get the best of me I asked you if you’d ever shot a gun My mother said that you’d been gone you’d gone to fight in Vietnam I couldn’t have been no more than nine or ten With pride I walked right next to you And wondered if you felt it too Or would you feel anything again?

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Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 8/17/2017 3:08:00 PM

Very profound ending to this powerful poem, Gayle. Mine debut read of your poetic art. Thoroughly enjoyable read. Excellent poetry, dear. May love light your path always.

Gayle Rodd
Date: 8/17/2017 6:07:00 PM

Thank you so much Freddie. I was wondering if anybody would 'get' that? I guess I wanted to convey the soldier who returns with a feeling of 'dead inside'. My heart goes out to them.

Cheryl Hoffman

Date: 5/15/2017 8:43:00 AM

Very nice nostalgic write about your Vietnam veteran Dad Gayle; heart touching memories is a great thing to replay in our hearts and minds after their gone...~Che :)

Gayle Rodd
Date: 5/17/2017 5:44:00 AM

Thanks Cheryl. This was actually about a cousin of my mother's but I can only remember bits and pieces of it!