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Fallen Soldier

Two well dressed officers ring on the bell
A story of a fallen hero they had to tell
Dad tries to keep his composure but looses it in an instance
Mom lets her tears fall without any resistance
At eighteen he found eternal rest
He was one of America’s best
He needed college money to get a better life
Now his father comes home to an empty seat right next to his wife
You can imagine the conversations that they miss
How could his parents find the strength to accept this?
They try to carry on as if their son is still around
At times silence can be the loudest sound
He was eighteen and ready to attend college
What an expensive price for knowledge
His dad misses their every Sunday afternoon
Mom still can see him wave as he said I will see you soon

       
— paul, Oct 26, 2007

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: New York, USA

Favorite Poets: Cavafi, Sylvia Plath and Neopoet as a whole.

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Critiques

Mark

Mark

18 years 7 months ago

Makes no sense

The war has brought more death and suffering and the soldier's intentions were a paradox. You feel sad for the parents and angry that this has to happen and it all just does not make any sense, this is the commonality? It does not make sense. How many have died suffering and how much money has been spent on senselessness? Foolishness? Someone said war is big business - huh? We need to profit in this way? We need to buy geniouses or pay them off so we can have our wars? I like foolishness ! Thanks Paul you do it every time, Mark
H

HiFlyGuy

18 years 7 months ago

You are missing the small picture

The author of this peice is losing his audience in the foreshadowing of the topic. This person scribed what they felt and put it up for review. You've bypassed the work and gone off on a tangent if you speak of politics. This peice is honest and thought provoking. No disrespect intended.
Mark

Mark

18 years 7 months ago

naa I see the face value it is

what I always absorb first off. Behind that "small" picture is the rather large backdrop of the war. And that is so contoversial the topics of many can be investigated. I am not so sure I would call it a "small picture" but if that works for you so be it :-)
wolfycat

wolfycat

18 years 7 months ago

A Tribute...

A beautiful tribute to the men and women all over the world who fight for freedom. Regardless of what you think or how you believe...there is something very noble about a person that would sacrifice themself for what they believe in. Great poem. Thanks, Wolfycat.
Mark

Mark

18 years 7 months ago

I think it's crazy

Personally and in my opinion really. I don't think most of "these" third world countries realy can handle or even want or even know what fredom is really about. Furthermore dying do force it upon "these" people is rediculous. Finaly if they were at "our" doorstep I would be one to grab my Louisville and my sobakawa (they're all I got) If freedom were the ideal "those" "over there" feel it is it would truly be a wonderful thing. I would rather be thinking freely in the good ole USA. "There will always be someone who does not like your decision" Mark
wolfycat

wolfycat

18 years 7 months ago

I have no answer...

But to say this. I wonder how all of the Kurdish people felt as they watched their loved ones gassed by the powers that ruled. I have a son-in-law that was over there for well over a year in the service. None of us wanted him there and at times, I am still not sure what I think about this war... but how do you explain the people of that country coming up and thanking the soldiers for being there? Regardless of what I personally think, I will support my son-in-law. He is serving for noble reasons. He was there. He saw it. I would not want the last thing he remembered from us to be a non-supportive attitude towards him. Everyone here has a right to their opinion...including me. I will not mock anyone for exercising that right. Respectfully Submitted, Wolfy.
weirdelf

weirdelf

18 years 7 months ago

Wolfy, I have a new flatmate who is Turkish

She knows only that the Kurdish are a 3rd world in her own country. Don't believe the news or wiki, the truth is hard to find. This I do believe. Good people don't go to war. cheers, Jess
Mark

Mark

18 years 7 months ago

I think it unnatural

un-ethical and un-Godly to decide and TO die for anything. However to die in the course of a noble action is very justified in my opinion. Would not anybody here with a child put themselves between your child and a bullet from a drive-by shooter - on a gut feeling?
wolfycat

wolfycat

18 years 7 months ago

Having children...

There is no doubt that I would put myself in between...to save my children, or grandchildren, or for that matter...any person that was being hurt for unjust reasons. You know...living in the U.S., we only get a biased view of the news...so all of these other views give other opinions on subjects that there are no easy answers to. I also know that 'war' is not the answer...fighting is not the answer. HOW are we to stop it???...when there are so many willing to fight. Thanks all, Wolfy.
Mark

Mark

18 years 7 months ago

nor for one to make his or her self

a cold blooded killer by killing a cold blooded killer. It is written - "There will always be the cold blooded killer" I think put them in hell on earth.