He Just Wanted To Be A Soldier (One Year Anniversary)

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Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

0 posted 2007-09-06 01:18 AM

(This is a heartwrenching ballad in memory of my dearest cousin Jeremy Shank, who died in combat a year ago last year, which starts out quieter but reaches a climatic, most emotional finish.

Please pray for his family this day, as indeed they continue to cope emotionally with his tragic loss! )

*

He Just Wanted To Be A Soldier
By: Noah Eaton
9/17/06

There was a young man,
inhearsed in uncertain times,
growing up in a one-horse town,
down on Odus Drive,
when he was younger,
he had a couple scrapes with the law,
living as if there was no tomorrow,
beyond his front lawn.

Patrolling his hometown streets,
with a toy pistol in his jeans,
chugging whole gallons of milk,
on Starzinger Fields with his football team,
tied rubber bands around the nozzles,
of the kitchen sink,
placing sheets of cellophane,
atop the toilet seat…

Spending his life,
to turn his life around,
admiring his neighborhood,
like his own fairground,
looking for a fair shake,
to get off the ground,
feeling he was about to swill down,
this whole town…
.
.
.
Paying his reverences,
to his heroes at Russell Heights,
felt them move him forthright
about their sacrifice,
so he finished high school early,
and picked up an equivalency degree,
and became an American soldier,
when he was seventeen.

I hear many question,
what put him to the task,
why would you want,
to tie yourself to that mast,
who bravely dares must sometimes risk a fall,
from what I understand,
he just wanted to be a soldier,
is that too much to ask?
.
.
.
He was stationed overseas,
for at least a year,
he was scared up to his elbows,
but he persevered,
until one September morning,
during a dismounted security patrol,
his whole entire life,
took a tragic, fatal blow.

I hear many question,
what put him to the task,
to want to spill your blood,
on a general’s behalf,
I felt the answer in the breeze,
the day the flags hung half-staff,
he just wanted to be a soldier,
is that too much to ask?

They say being gone,
makes you really appreciate home,
when a whole town has a son,
you know you’ll never be alone,
his father asked the reverend,
there’s this riddle in the void,
he can’t apprehend,
and he said,
"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life,
for his friends..."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
He’s got a fiance in Millersville,
he planned on marrying this November,
she still feels his deep love,
betwixt each of borrowed time's embers.

There was a young man,
inhearsed in uncertain times...
.
.
.
growing up in a one-horse town,
down on Odus Drive...
.
.
.
I hear many question,
what put him to the task,
to want to spill your blood,
on a general’s behalf,
I felt the answer in the breeze,
the day the flags hung half-staff,
he just wanted to be a soldier,
is that too much to ask?

I see many paying their reverences,
to his grave at Russell Heights,
where he used to honor his new neighbors,
of their sacrifice,
and in the distance there’s a young boy,
standing there on the silent field,
dreaming to be like him,
and take up the sword and shield…
.
.
...he just wanted to be a soldier....
.
.
...he just wanted to be a soldier....
.
.
...he just wanted to be a soldier....
.
.
all he wanted,
was to be a soldier...
.
.
...he just wanted to be a soldier....
.
.
...he just wanted to be a soldier....
.
.
...he just wanted to be a soldier....
.
.
all he wanted,
was to be a soldier...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other"

Mother Teresa

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

1 posted 2007-09-06 09:08 AM

Noah, this was such an emotional read for me. Your love of Jeremy and your sadness at his early demise on foreign soil, is painfully evident in this poem.

He still lives on through your loving and compassionate poetry.

Love & Eternal Light,
Linda

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

2 posted 2007-09-06 10:58 AM

Sending my thoughts and prayers to you and your family, Noah.

Sexy_Tator_Tot
Junior Member

since 2007-08-31

Posts 42
Arkansas

3 posted 2007-09-06 12:14 PM

This is a very emotional poem. I really enjoyed reading it. My uncle and 2 cousins also died over seas and it is hard to deal with it each day.

God Bless!

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

4 posted 2007-09-06 04:33 PM

Precious words from your heart for Jeremy...I have prayed...take care...James

Kit McCallum

Administrator

Member Laureate

since 2000-04-30

Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

5 posted 2007-09-06 05:56 PM

This is wuch a wonderful, heartfelt and moving piece Noah. The repetative line really hits home, and you brought it through with both a forceful flourish and yet a whisper at just the right time.

Well done, my young friend. You did Jeremy and his family proud with this remembrance from your heart.

Best wishes and hugs,
/Kit

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