He Just Wanted To Be A Soldier (In Loving Memory Of Jeremy)

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Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

0 posted 2006-09-19 07:41 PM

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

This is by far the hardest poem/song I've written since my breakthrough song "Good Morning Cameron", and I certainly hope can test the tests of time and be one everyone can feel and comfort the losses in families of their own. )

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

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

1 posted 2006-09-19 08:06 PM

oh Noah little buddie....oh my, you bring tears to my eyes.....

heart hugs to you

Snowflake From Hell
Senior Member

since 2003-07-10

Posts 777
My own little Icey Oblivion

2 posted 2006-09-19 08:12 PM

great way to pay homage to him

Swinging the Dead in this Free Fall you call life, Swinging the Dead on a Deathride

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

3 posted 2006-09-19 08:25 PM

Well done dear Noah...

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

4 posted 2006-09-19 08:38 PM

Noah....no words, just

RevengeIsMine
Senior Member

since 2006-07-08

Posts 820
Australia

5 posted 2006-09-19 08:44 PM

My Deepest Sympthany to You and ur Family.
He Died Doing What he wanted to do.

Hugs

seraphin
Senior Member

since 2000-09-24

Posts 1004
Michigan

6 posted 2006-09-19 08:46 PM

A wonderful tribute. Well done, Noah. I wish you and yours peace and healing at this difficult time. I do understand your loss.

Sandra

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

7 posted 2006-09-20 10:03 AM

I was so overwhelmed with emotion as I read about Jeremy's life and untimely death.

I also felt a kinship with him when I read about his shannigans ~ the rubber bands around the kitchen tap spray nozzles and the cellophane over the toilet bowls. I did the very same things to my grandmother when I was a little girl. I was naughty ~ but nice!

Like Jeremy, I was full of fun, spunk, and spirit. (Thank goodness my grandmother was fabulously good-spirited with a great sense of humor!

)

God bless you, Jeremy. Know that you are loved and missed by those who loved and knew you ~ and by those who did not know you but feel as though they do through the warm, commemorative words of your cousin, Noah.

Love & Eternal Light,
Linda

[This message has been edited by Earth Angel (09-20-2006 12:07 PM).]

LeeJ
Member Patricius

since 2003-06-19

Posts 13296

8 posted 2006-09-20 10:36 AM

Noah, this was so tragic...so sorrowful...please know you and your family are in my thoughts...

a lovely tribute

mostlikelytolie
New Member

since 2006-09-20

Posts 5

9 posted 2006-09-20 03:59 PM

Absolutely astounding tribute. I am so sorry. If you ever need to talk...

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

10 posted 2006-09-20 07:37 PM

Nice thoughts from your heart Noah...hugs...James

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

11 posted 2006-09-20 08:14 PM

Oh, Noah....you know I know.

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