Because He Came Home (a Poem)
A tall man who stood among the few, the Proud
to fight in The War while still in his teens
a Raider, sharp shooter, all action to see
Guam, Okinawa, and ultimate surrender to be.
When home he came to our country's praise
victory parades, dancing in the street
for a war to end all wars (although not)
while sadly, many a soldier he knew did not.
The gentle soul I knew could not hurt a spider
but screams that awoke us in the middle of night
permanently etched his plight upon my mind
revealed a hellish side of a soldier I never knew.
The sacrifices he made, but never spoke
only grateful to be alive and never to disclose
of what he paid in the name of freedom
for the rest of his life he could not dispose.
A gentle man gave so much while still in his teens
came home, took a wife, had a son, then me
so grateful to God was he (as we) to be given life
because my Dad came home, when so many did not.
Published by Maria Malone
A lifelong love of photography and writing poetry, Maria enjoys taking pictures of water views and sunsets and incorporates the calming effects of the Jersey Shore into much of her work. View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentGreat work! ♥
Great work! ♥
Thank you so much and Michele that is wonderful that another contributor would build that for your dad but it doesn't surprise me; A.C. contributors are the best! : )
I love this tribute to your Dad. My dad is turning 90 this month and another contributor on this site is building him a model of the ship that he fought on in WWII (aren't our contributors the greatest people!!! I love AC/Yahoo! for providing our community :) cheers!
Beautiful tribute to your dad and all other vets, thanks Maria!
so sad what some have to suffer through.Great poem and tribute!
Great poem! It addresses a side of warfare that not many outside the military appear to understand. A classic novel which few read today, The Cruel Sea, shows the experiences of a British captain of an anti-submarine tub, making choices which, in an ideal world, no human being should have to make! It really bugs me that so many people in the military have not received the honor and recognition they deserve! I wonder how many are familiar with the last verse of our National Anthem: "Oh thus be it ever when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the war's desolation..."
Maria what a lovely tribute and reminder of the many things they suffered silently--and all for our freedom. Hats off to him and so many others.
nice poem - great plot
A beautifully expressive work of poetry. Thanks!