My Son Returns
19 September, 2006
Author: Marion Carroll
And so,
it has come to pass.
The year of voluntary duty has ended.
Sunday, September 10th, 2006
my son has left Iraq.
He has left behind the war zone
that he chose to engage,
that will stay with him
wherever he goes,
for as long as he lives.
The images of war and terror,
are burned
into the backs of his eyelids;
the memories, irrepressible.
There is no escape
from what he has seen
and what he has done.
Today, I fall to my knees
in gratitude.
My son returns.
Safely, in one piece.
Thank You, GOD!
Thank you for hearing the prayers
this mother sent to you;
silver pleading threads of
fear and hope and faith:
the strings of life
woven all together
forming the rope that pulled him
home to family and love.
5 years and 4 days
after the attack
that claimed the lives of
thousands of innocent people,
my son returns to his homeland
from doing his part,
of making a better world;
a safe haven for those who remain.
My joyful tears conjoin
with tears of sorrow,
for the mothers of those who
left with him, and will not be
returning. They gave their service.
They gave their lives.
My son will grow old, forever
haunted by this one year.
Their sons will stay forever young,
but from now on,
forever a memory:
their actions an inspiration in courage,
their sacrifice a legacy in
ghostly encounters,
a reminder for the living
of burning revenge for those
who have, and will be
avenged.
They are America's Sons, now.
And they WILL NOT be forgotten.
Welcome home, my beloved only son.
Welcome back, my living Hero.
May we all live our lives
worthy of what you
and they
have given.
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Comments on this poem/writing:
| Catyrose (128.123.85.206) -- Tuesday, September 19 2006, 05:38 am tribute to all of America's sons and their families you have written here. I am so happy for you that your son has returned home safely. |
| Meridian (71.241.15.210) -- Wednesday, September 20 2006, 05:03 am I know you were like... Hallelujah! I can only imagine a family member of a soldier and their growing anticipation of when their loved one will return home. I'm just as glad that he's alive as you are! And for those that didn't make it home, things like that can never be forgotten... Great poem MC! |
| MC (70.88.11.52) -- Wednesday, September 20 2006, 08:40 pm I am ever so grateful to have my son home, and ever so proud that he made the choice to serve. Thanks for your comments. |
| capricorn (82.36.228.32) -- Monday, September 25 2006, 11:49 am I felt so many emotions in this poem. Relief, pride, joy and more. Your words are heartfelt and I am happy for you to have your son safely back home. |
| MC (150.176.200.253) -- Monday, October 16 2006, 11:42 pm Sorry I didn't respond sooner. My son came to visit all last week, and it was wonderful to have him near again. Now we have to go through the whole waiting process all over again, as my daughter's boyfriend is being re-deployed. Keep praying for our troops. Thanks again! |
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