Soldier Boy
My son is at war, so far from our home
He left this sweet haven to places unknown
Seeing his face in a photo so near
Knowing he’ll be gone at least for a year
And the great USA plays games with my head
As I move like a puppet on a string made of lead
Oh how I wish that damn phone would just ring
Hearing that laugh would make my heart sing
Hoping to catch the sound of his voice
Knowing again that this was his choice
To go off and fight in this far away land
Was somehow his destiny and part of the plan
My soldier boy
He left in the chill of a brisk winter day
I remember his tears; time whisked him away
And the hug that I gave him was long and it clung
Oh on that day how the bitter wind stung
I felt I was waging my own war of strife
But the picture was gigantic- larger-than-life
My soldier boy
He wrote me last week and I heard his sweet love
And I thanked once again my God from above
He is safe and he is somehow so remarkably tough
But his words told the truth; he’s had quite enough
And I felt a tear cascade down the side of my cheek
As I remembered his time as a child playing hide’n’go seek
My soldier boy
He told me his innocence is gone -that he’s seen way too much
And I just longed to hold him and needed his touch
But instead I wrote that I loved him forever
And that his life would someday be hopefully better
I told him to stay safe and ever so strong
And my soul felt a stab as my words moved along
He is always in my mind and deep in my heart
I thanked him again for doing his part
My soldier boy
He’s still a young boy who’s grown up too fast
With the insight and strength he’s had to amass
He’s my pride; he’s my joy
He’s my soldier boy
Copyright © Mary Bannister | Year Posted 2006
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