The Soldiers Lullaby

She once walked with him and stopped with him
when they heard that familiar refrain.
She'd stand beside him while he'd salute
her pride for her Soldier was plain,

and every night, 
while he'd hold her tight
contented and happy, she'd sigh.
They would drift off to sleep
listening to the beat
of the Soldiers Lullaby.

They play the National Anthem
to fill us with fire and pride
and the last one they play every evening
is the Soldiers Lullaby.

Twice a day at nine eleven
when her Soldier was in Iraq
she'd bow her head in silence
to remember that September attack,

and when she'd get home in the evening
tired and lonely, she'd cry.
She'd pray that somewhere he was listening
to the Soldiers Lullaby.

Now she stands at the gate in the airport
heart pounding as Soldiers stream by,
so excited she can barely contain it
overwhelmed she's starting to cry,

and the crowd is beginning to thin now
the tears and the laughter all die,
heart broken and lonely, she stands there
when she hears his voice simply say "hi"...

It's been years since she's thought of that moment,
they've been busy with life passing by.
Two girls and two boys
now fill their lives with joy
and time really does seem to fly,

but at night when she's tucked in her family
she still bows her head with a sigh
and she never forgets to remember
The Soldiers Lullaby.

~For Jenn with love
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Johnson Avatar
November 30, 2010 at 4:06 PM
Thank you all for your comments, especially on this poem. I was riding in the car with my Daughter-in-law and she mentioned how they, (soldiers and families), referred to the national anthem as the soldiers lullaby and when I was done crying like a baby(!) I grabbed a napkin and pen and wrote it down! It is my most precious poem. Thank you again! ~Betty
Foster Avatar
November 29, 2010 at 5:53 PM
This is such a wonderfully heartfelt write :-) Congratulations Betty on your very well deserved featured poem. Many Blessings, Always, Adell
Brown Avatar
November 29, 2010 at 6:38 AM
A well deserved featured poem you have here Betty. May you have many more. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
November 28, 2010 at 5:31 PM
Congrats Betty on your featured poem this week on the Soup .. a great one to share with us all today with luv..
Falcon Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 2:59 PM
Welcome to PoetrySoup along with your beautiful poems. Wish you luck! -Mitchell
Sweetheart Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 6:42 AM
A lovely piece Betty .. my youngest son of five sons is serving in Iraq right now.. a lovely touching stirring piece... thankxx for commenting on my blog .. appreciate u sharing with me .. happy weekend with luv..
K. Avatar
November 26, 2010 at 10:41 PM
This is truly a joy to read, Betty-- it makes me to smile that they've been reunited after all and how wonderful to have that Soldiers Lullaby to keep them strong despite the distance-- this is very sweet :) & thanks for dropping my poem :) haha that couch indeed ;) -- enjoy your day :)-- nikko :)
Johnson Avatar
November 25, 2010 at 9:50 AM
i think its beauty!
Dietrich Avatar
November 24, 2010 at 3:22 PM
this one is extremely touching, like from someone who truly has lived this experience. good writing, Betty. LUv, Andrea ps. enjoyed the unique refrain too.
A   Avatar
November 24, 2010 at 2:49 PM
wow! I love the flow and the joy one can have,... I thought it was going to have a sad ending, enjoyed your poem,, and have a wonderful blessed Thanksgiving day,. always,..P.D.
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