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Tears of a Valiant Soldier

Too many were tears that he cried - that boy so small yet so brave. A full-grown man could not abide the beatings that his father gave. locked in a room dark like a cave! Too many were tears that he cried, but like a soldier, strong and brave, to keep in his sorrow he tried. His father often he defied when mom and siblings felt Dad’s wrath. Too many were tears that he cried because he chose a valiant path. He took their lashings for them till one day would see his tears subside - and then the boy lay cold and still. Too many were tears that he cried. July 17, 2022 for the Tears of a Valiant Soldier Poetry Contest Sponsor: Faraz Ajmal

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Ann Foster

Date: 7/22/2022 12:27:00 PM

This was so heartbreaking... Wow... well done. Excellent writing. Ann

Bill Baker

Date: 7/20/2022 7:07:00 AM

It sad that so many choose to abuse when faced with a life of frustration and pain. Many take it out on family ultimately destroying those abused and themselves. My father loved me, but that didn't prevent the beatings regularly. Thank God I had a loving mother that conforted me through it all. Excellent poem reminding us of a universal problem of bullying and abuseive behaviors. Thanks for sharing, Andrea. This song needed to be sung. Smiles ~ Hugs, Bill

Valsa George

Date: 7/19/2022 10:47:00 PM

While some fathers are so loving and stay as pillars of the family, some others are so belligerent , abusive and tyrannical in their behaviour. You have depicted the miserable plight of the poor boy in the most touching way, Andrea

Eve Roper

Date: 7/17/2022 6:07:00 PM

Such a heartfelt write, This was our lives growing up. Awesome write . Yes,The trees are the viewers.

Joe Maverick
Date: 7/19/2022 10:38:00 PM

Dear Eve, my thoughts go out to You, the best antidote to such Must be good relations with others and a worthy goal in life As no doubt Milton has striven For.'

Vijay Pandit

Date: 7/17/2022 4:58:00 PM

So poignant, sad--yet true to life. So well invoked, Andrea--I see from the comments below--many can relate to. Best to you.

Joe Maverick

Date: 7/17/2022 3:49:00 PM

Wow Andrea. Remember I told you I am friends With some men who were in the gse 'Green Street elite?' There was a film about it.? I became so after getting to Know one his Father was a copper, who beat His two boys and a girl, when they could the sons Took any blame if their sister got in trouble Anyway that time caused him to become a football hooligan in the gse ' he turned against Authority..I see Milton suffered the same.'

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/18/2022 2:09:00 PM

It happens far too often. How are there so many bad people in this world?

L Milton Hankins

Date: 7/17/2022 8:51:00 AM

Andrea, this is a heart-wrenching story too often repeated between fathers and sons. As a victim of my father's abuse, I can testify that a lifetime does not begin to erase the harm and hurt. Good writing and BOL in the contest. A very deserving write in my war against bullying! I liked your choice of quatern.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/18/2022 2:09:00 PM

Good for you, Milt . I finally lashed back at a bully and he left me alone after that.

Joe Maverick
Date: 7/17/2022 3:56:00 PM

Hi Milton, that's a tough call As a child, you have my understanding, as you can see Above I know a man whose whole life became full of extra Violence over such, I only found out when he broke down, I'd lent him money to give to his sons a birthday meal out he was homeless due to not being able to live in a stable relationship I guess'

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/17/2022 12:07:00 PM

Actually, I was too afraid of him to do that. We mostly just endured it. However, as an older teen I lashed back when he lunged at me across the dinner table (quite a story) and told him if he ever hit me again, I'd kill him. I told him he would not dare go to sleep at night. After than he never ever hit me again. True to form for bullies.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2022 8:59:00 AM

Did you fight back with your dad ? I remember jumping in between my mom and stepdad. A number of us kids did it at the same time when things got particularly bad

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2022 8:58:00 AM

sorry you had to endure that. I wish we did not have to categorize our poems as just rhyme when we are using one of many rhyming forms here at soup. I have so many quaterns and other types of rhymes that need to be shown as "rhyme" in order to be in a contest!