Heritage
Tonight in a desert land far far from home
A young soldier stands,
Staring at a photograph yellowed with age
That lays within his hands.
If one would peer at the photograph
This is what they would see:
Another young man in the uniform
Of this land of the Brave and Free.
The photograph shows a young lad
And though its shaded black and white,
It doesn't hide the mirth in his eyes,
Nor does the age hide their light.
He stands besides a plane,
A shiny, perfect B-52.
One that would often take this young man
Off into the skies of blue.
“Gramps,” says the young soldier
as he grips the photo tight,
“I hope that I make you proud
As I fight for freedom's light.”
“I think its harder nowadays
To be brave and true.
The times have certainly changed
As the times often do”
“I wonder of the ones back home,
If their thinking of me tonight?
I hope my mom ain't worried.
I hope she knows I'm alright.”
“I'm dreaming of a time
when I bounce upon my knee,
A child of my own,
Like you used to do with me”
“I'll teach them about America.
How 'tho not perfect, She is Free.
I'll teach them that with that freedom
also comes responsibility.”
“I'll teach them that each one of us
has a job that we can do,
to preserve the Legacy of our nation
Just like me and you.,”
With that the young soldier
Takes a final, thankful glance,
At his grandfather's faithful gaze,
and his proud heroic stance.
And a new day dawns,
and the soldier goes on,
doing the job that he must do,
fighting for the legacy
of Liberty for me and you.
~ This poem is dedicated to the men and women of the Armed Forces who are even at this very moment giving their lives for the life and liberty we hold dear. Thank you.
©Tanya R Ballard 7/3/2010
