A Poem I Found

I thought I would post a poem that I wrote a couple of years ago. I was talking to a friend earlier this evening that is a Gold Star Mom (a mother whose child has died in combat or other military service) and it reminded me of this poem I wrote, and I just found it, so I thought that I would post it. I am by no means a poet, but I thought it was apt to my conversation with my friend.

GOLD STAR MOM

As you sat and rocked your babe you dreamed.
You imagined what kind of a man he would be.
You pictured your baby growing and maturing.
You prayed fervently that he would be a good man.

As you sat and watched your kid run you dreamed.
You imagined him growing older and meeting a girl.
You hoped you son would find a girl that would love him,
But you knew no girl was really good enough for your son.

As you sat and taught him to drive you dreamed and prayed.
You imagined him leaving for home to pursue his dreams.
You hoped he would be safe, wise and do well in life.
You knew the world was at his fingertips, and he could do it.

As you sat and he said “I’m joining the military” you dreamed.
You knew that he would be a good soldier, he was tough.
You hoped that he would be safe, that he would not see combat.
You knew that the worst could happen, so you prayed fervently.

Then one day the worst thing happened, you heard a knock.
You did not want to open the front door, you knew, you are a mom.
You went to the door and ushered the two soldiers inside.
You knew that the worst had happened, and inside you cried.

As you sat and rocked in that special chair you dreamed.
You remembered all the happy moments, the triumphs:
You saw his first smile, steps, word, day of school, etc.
The coffin was on its way to your house, and you cried.

You picked up his favorite teddy bear and you stood there.
He would never be home again. Your son was gone like that.
How would you be able to make it through the hour, the day?
You thought that you would never smile again, never laugh.

As you pondered your fate and his you remembered something,
He is now your angel and he was looking down on you in love.
He did not want to die for his country, but he was willing to die.
He did his duty and gave his all because you taught him that.

As you sat outside and heard the 21 guns you cried and prayed.
You prayed that no other mom would have to feel this grief.
You thought “I love you son, and always will, forever.”
You took the folded flag from the soldier, and you whispered to him,

“God bless the USA.”

***Dedicated to Gold Star Moms! Thank you. You and your child are some of the people that make America so amazing. May God bless you.***