The Daddy Soldier

At four years old she kissed him goodbye
In his splendid soldier’s uniform
She was saddened to see her mother cry
As he set off for a land that’s foreign

She didn’t understand the reasons
Why her Daddy had to go
She only knew it was a soldier’s duty
Because her Daddy had told her so

By five years old she had forgotten his smell
From the after-shave when he gave her a kiss
She had gotten used to life without Dad
But by her mother, every day he was missed

Today her father came home
Though it wasn’t a day full of smiles
He would be traveling in a wooden box
Across the many miles

Six soldiers carried him off of the plane
With an American flag draped over the top
She watched the tears flow from Mommy’s eyes
As if they’d never stop

She stood up and she saluted them
The way her Daddy had shown
Not completely cognizant
Of the eternity of his new home

When Daddies of little children
Die for some vague political cause
Every living human being
Should stop in thoughtful pause

In wars there are no winners
Just some who loose much more
Victory has hollow meaning
When Daddy dies when you are four
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Dailey Avatar
May 18, 2011 at 1:19 PM
Joe, this was a very moving and meaningful poem to me. My dad's plane fell out of the sky when I was 4. Nothing ever found of it. It was 1951. Check out my tribute to him - A Little Hill In Arlington or MIA Hill or Daddy's Coming Home.
Taylor Avatar
May 6, 2011 at 8:07 AM
Sad but true, Joe. Outstanding piece. Really grabs at ones heartstrings. Kudos to you. Great job. Ralph
Richards Avatar
May 6, 2011 at 7:14 AM
Taking any glory out of war, and putting a real face on what and who make the true sacrifices. Just beautifully written, Joe. `
Delacroix Avatar
May 5, 2011 at 10:23 PM
:( What can I say! ....Pass me the tissue box! halas too much of a reality for many soldiers' family. Thanks for sharing. Caroline.
Guzzi Avatar
May 5, 2011 at 6:28 PM
So very true, surely a winning write. Light & Love
Dietrich Avatar
May 5, 2011 at 2:44 PM
NIcely done, JOe. If ONLY the world's leaders could understand the harm they are doing. But they care nothing for anyone but themselves!
La France Avatar
May 5, 2011 at 1:02 PM
I always told you Joe, no one tells a story like you, I am brushing tears away for this one, you are one amazing storyteller, and how many times has this same scene happened, well done~~
Long Avatar
May 5, 2011 at 10:50 AM
this was very nicely written, it had a good flow and told a nice story. cory
Onclaud Avatar
May 5, 2011 at 10:19 AM
gut wrenching yet so beautifully expressed with so much human spirit in every line... wonderful wonderful!, joe... i can relate; my dad was a general and passed on early.. :) huggs , nette
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