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hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

0 posted 2002-01-05 09:29 AM


Mother Dear....a solider's letter home

Mother dear what do you cry for
I'm old enough to go to war.
I'm still your child, yet now a man.
I'll serve my country best I can.

Oh mother, please, they say you weep
When safe at home, my brothers sleep.
It really isn't all that bad.
Please give my best to dear old dad.

Mother, you remember Jim.
It's been three days since I've seen him.
They say he stepped on enemy mine.
He lost his leg, but he'll be fine.

Now Pete, my friend from down the street,
Who always stumbled on his feet
Spooked a patrol out on the roam
So in a body bag, he's coming home.

Today we stormed their sea and land;
Which gave our troops the upper hand.
Forgive the blood, it's just a nick.
I'll be like new, I'm sure, real quick.

We won today. The feeling's great.
I have to go though, it's getting late.
So mother dear, this is goodbye...

P.S. They say that I might die

~ Ruth
www.angelfire.com/pa/OriginalMinds/index.html  

© Copyright 2002 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved
Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

1 posted 2002-01-05 09:32 AM


Very moving, unfortunately, very real for some.  I have two sons, I often worry about this....

Kathleen--
Neither genius, fame, nor love show the greatness of the soul. Only kindness can do that. ~Jean Baptiste Henri Lacordaire~

Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
2 posted 2002-01-05 09:34 AM


Ruth,
Well...it's hard to write with so many goose bumps, but I'll try. Very touching poetry and an excellent reminder of the price of freedom. Well done.

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
3 posted 2002-01-05 09:44 AM


HootieGal~
It's so nice to see you drop in with this poignantly written piece~

Lovely sentiments, sweet poetess~
Happy New Year to you and yours~
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
       noles1@totcon.com                   

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
4 posted 2002-01-05 10:19 AM


thank you all....it's nice to return home now and then
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
5 posted 2002-01-05 10:47 AM


This touches me deeply. My daughter is ex Air Force and she said if they needed her, she'd sign up again to fight. Sent chills up my spine. It's nice to see you on the blue pages of PiP again!! Repost some of your stuff if you're here for a while. We've got a lot of newbies that have never had a taste of the owl!
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
6 posted 2002-01-05 10:52 AM


Hoot,
Glad to see you back, excellent write. *L*

Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
7 posted 2002-01-05 10:53 AM


Absolutely stunning. This poem breaks the heart and brings to mind what is sacrificed for freedom. Magnificent writing. **big hugs**

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
8 posted 2002-01-05 11:52 AM



Just when I am so glad to see you come home, you leave me sniffing...thank you for this, Ruth.  Please let us know how you are doing, we've all missed you so much...

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
9 posted 2002-01-05 12:17 PM




(tears fall down my cheeks) Sooooooo heartbreaking, sweet friend, it must have been so heartaching for both her son to write such a letter and for the mother to read his words, it breaks my heart to see such sacrifices war can cost. (sad sigh) My heart goes out to all families who have family enlisted in war, and pray they can all come back safely. (kiss on cheek) God Bless You, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Ruth, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

10 posted 2002-01-05 01:06 PM


Heart wrenching, Ruth. We owe so much to those who protect us that we could never repay it.

So nice to see you again, Ruth!

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
11 posted 2002-01-05 01:14 PM


Yes nothing is routine in times of war...the enemy would like nothing better then to maim or kill you before you do the same to them...James
Ivy Rose
Senior Member
since 2001-12-29
Posts 1300
MA, USA
12 posted 2002-01-05 01:17 PM


hoot_owl...This touched me deeply.  My son just left for boot camp on Jan 3, 2002. We are more than mother and son...we are friends. I miss him already. Thanks so much for this poem. Captured my feelings so wonderfully. GREAT POEM!!!!  ***Ivy Rose
Elizabeth
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
13 posted 2002-01-05 02:24 PM


This one hit really hard, Ruth.....

Welcome back.

God bless America, my home sweet home.

strbbux
Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859

14 posted 2002-01-05 02:27 PM


Oh my gosh ruth, this was so sad. I have sons, and we are soooo patriotic my husband being an x navy man...great write. floria
Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
15 posted 2002-01-05 03:03 PM


What a moving letter and poem.  So very nice to see a poem of yours.

~*~ Carpe' Diem ~*~

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
16 posted 2002-01-05 03:09 PM


Owl,
I have chills from this one. I so blase and chilling.
Keth

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind.  Unknown



hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
17 posted 2002-01-06 10:43 AM


Thank you all....I've missed everyone here
hugs
Ruth

LngJhnAg
Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion
18 posted 2002-01-07 04:33 PM


Hootessa - It is so nice to see you posting here again.  I hope all is well with you.  Have a great day, young lady.
cpalmer
Senior Member
since 2001-06-26
Posts 977
Phoenix, Az
19 posted 2002-01-07 04:41 PM


Wow, this is very moving! touched my heart!
Hugs
Cindi

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