The Volunteer

by Charles L. Brown

I wave the flag and turn my head,
and try not to think of over 5000 Americans dead.
The pain inside is so hard to take!
The line moves forward
as my hands start to shake.
No time for anything else,
no games to play,
I’m making the final arrangements
to fight for the USA.
No longer a boy but not quite a man,
Forced into battle! Ready to make a stand!
And as I take my place
the honorable oath is rendered.
A small town boy
just became our nation defender.
As the tremendous responsibility settles on me,
I know I’ll do the best I can.
But I know deep inside
I may die in a foreign land.
Now with orders in hand
Which eventually will seal my fate.
I whisper as I start my journey
“God bless the United States.”

30-Sep-2001

More By : Charles L. Brown

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Comments on this Poem

Now this is what one calls Poetry. Great write.

Ravinder Malhotra
25-Jul-2010 04:07 AM

Wonderful poem. Appropriate Editor's choice.

Ravinder Malhotra
24-Jul-2010 07:46 AM