A Better World by Marion Carroll

He made his choice, then made the call:
I heard the resolve in his tone.
He'd answered the call to duty,
and it chilled me to the bone.

My heart stopped dead, from beating.
The terror was personal, now.
The risk was all too apparent.
I had to be strong, somehow.

My breath was faulty and choking;
fear gripped me, from inside.
Then pride for what he had chosen,
pushed selfishness aside.

I gave him my blessing and prayed,
to accept the worst of my fears.
Yes, there would be, many sleepless nights,
and an untold volume of tears.

In that moment, discovery dawned:
the baton of Country and Corps,
is passed by something intangible,
so that freedom reigns, evermore.

Our children do not belong to us.
They are gifts, we must pass on.
We're theirs forever, and with them goes,
what we've taught them; right, or wrong.

I wasn't ready to share my gift,
but my job was completely done.
The man he became was so much more,
than my own vision of my son.

He took up arms, and went to war;
it's your way of life, he defends.
And on the outcome of his efforts,
your very future, depends.

The conflict of terror and pride,
still rages within my soul.
But hope floats on, for a better world,
with my son, who is on patrol.

This accurately portrays the emotions I felt when my son called to let me know, after 9/11, that he was joining the army. He now has only 6 weeks left of his deployment to serve, and we can't wait for him to come home. Please pray for all our troops.

Bipedalguy (4.156.108.182) -- Monday, August 14 2006, 11:49 am

Words fail me.
Maybe that's why it's taken me a week to comment on this patriotic poem about a patriotic son, written by a patriotic mom. Words are hard pressed to do justice to the sacrifices associated with patriotism. Maybe the only appropriate words are the 2 words still awaited by so many: "Thank You"

MC (64.12.116.5) -- Wednesday, August 16 2006, 05:58 pm

Thank you
For you kind comment. The only thing we can give to those who serve is our gratitude, respect and support. I appreciate yours.

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