Most of my family has read it, or at least have heard it, but this a poem I wrote for Jimmy last May for my class' "poetry coffee house". Jimmy never got to read this because I never got around to sending him a care package for his birthday, and I didn't want him to read it in an email. I was going to post this on his birthday (the 24th), but I just wasn't in the mood.
I love you, Jimmy.
When All Words Fail Me
(My Strong Soldier)
5-26-10
Planes and flights come and go
As do the people.
How many times did I pray
That he’d never be part of this number?
He’s already been included twice,
But that was for Iraq.
Why him, why his unit?
Afghanistan this time.
How do I say goodbye,
Not knowing if I’ll see him again?
How can he bring himself to leave
Knowing he might not come back?
Does he ever feel too afraid to carry on?
Does he ever feel all hope is lost?
Does he even realize how dangerous it is?
Does he remember what he’s fighting for?
Of course he’s scared
But he keeps fighting.
Of course he realizes the danger.
And he definitely knows what he’s fighting for.
He’s fighting for his parents,
His wife,
His kids.
Me.
So how do I repay him?
A thank you be not sufficient?
How do I tell him that I forever owe him?
That I don’t deserve it?
When all words fail me,
And tears begin to fill the void,
I’ll look away, not letting him see,
And embrace my strong soldier.
So, God, I ask
When will the war end?
And when will we all realize
That we’re all human beings?
Be we American or Middle-Eastern
Does it really matter?
We’re all just people,
Fighting for the country which we love.
God, let the war end
And keep my strong soldier safe.
Bring him home to me.
So I’ll never have to say goodbye again.
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