A child is born in warmth and grace;
Two parents gaze upon his face;
In their eyes, a 'Priceless Gem';
This new creation, a part of them.
Their child, a boy with curly hair,
they raise him with the best of care
and now, at school, two parents wait
to see their young son graduate.
You've raised him well, so take your bow
but,'Uncle Sam'; He wants him now!
So, with induction, worry starts.
They bid goodbye with troubled hearts.
Yes, worry masked behind a grin,
they pray--"Dear Lord, Take care of him."
He breaks the news of Vietnam;
"I'll be okay!" "Don't worry, mom."
Aboard a ship with gun in hand,
he journeys to this far-off land.
A land of strife; A land of war;
Their son is not a child anymore!
Yes, in this land, so ripped and torn,
A child has died-- A man is born!
Author notes
This is a dedication to my parents.
It is the first poem I ever wrote!
It was written to my parents while on board the ship heading to Vietnam.
In a list
A contest entry
- Got Your Back (author unknown) by misticmoonlite.
1800 points, ended August 18, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 45 of 45
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Eternally applausable.
It seems that the first Muses to visit the author of "A Letter to Parents" were Calliope and Clio. And it is clear to me that they worked out well then, for the epic time made history, and the main protagonist returned home... ~and most of all~ arrived alive!
Much gratitude to the author of "A Letter to Parents" for posting the historic piece written in poetic magnificent breath, wonder and beauty.
In respect and admiration,
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
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I can't imagine this
I wouldn't even be able to bring myself there.
that has to be quite a heart wrenching feel
very brave parents
of very brave son
and a great Poet
God bless you my friend..
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Wow what beautiful words.
Indeed a horiabale war.
I loved every word of this.
I am sure your parents where proud.
And very happy you made it home .
Wonderful Dear Poet.
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When one serves
his country and writes home to his parents,that is one step towards being
a man, and to serve his country and come home to his family,that gives us all
pause to pray Thank God for letting him arrive home safe..
lovely poem to mom... thank you for protecting us as A Country and I as well
GOOD LUCK IN THIS CONTEST
Linda -
another awesome piece and i just want to say thank you for serving this country.... thank you for my freedom.....! thanks for sharing this.....
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Awesome piece. Love it.
Jack
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Perfect Poem
and wow! your first one?...what a lovely tribute to
those who loved enough to let go, as you did your
time in a place a lot denied to fight, you sure did deserve thos trophies
"GOOD LUCK IN THIS ONE ALSO.".M
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Amazing
Such a touching write. It might have been your first poem, but shows you talent and gifts so well. Thank you for sharing
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This is an excellent warm strong emotive piece of poetry that i enjoyed very much, and that I will remember , in my heart as I watch my sons (and daughters )grow
thankyou
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Excellent
Poignant phrasing . It enscapsulates life at it's rawest. WAR . A child has died, A man is born.
Thank you Di
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I sailed out from Oakland under the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Me Too
Yes---I sailed out of Oakland 'neath the Golden gate bridge also---December 1967 -
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For me
it was on the U.S.N.S. Gen. W. S. Gordon---May 1966
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You were very talented from the beginning and I see that your talent has no ending. Wonderful write it is as always a pleasure to read your work. God Bless, Jo--Ann
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This dedication to your parents is the most heart warming poem I've read from you(so far) My son was in the army about six years ago and I'm so thankful he is out and him or I didn't have to go through this painful separation.
"A child has died; A man is born!"
how true these words are...war changes you and takes away your innocences. I believe you were already what makes a man a man when you board that ship and sat down to write this beautiful poem for your parents. To comfort them while you were heading to the unknown was the most grown up wise and caring thing to give them.
Thanks for your sacrifice
darlintlc
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Yes, in this land, so ripped and torn,
A child has died; A man is born!
This brought tears to my eyes, very touching in these times of war! Great write!!
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Powerfull
My friends dad was in Vietnam and he said some of the guys he got to know were against the war but they went. He even said some didn't even like the thought of carring a weapon. Well he said those guys who didn't like the idea of guns when they saw the led and the blood was real they made that 16 their best friend. This was a moving and powerfull poem about eyes being open the child putting away childhood dreams, childhood toys, Steping up to the plate to make his stand and in the chaos he is scared but he is human now he has become a man who stands proud on his own two feet.
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Unbelievable, your first poem. You are really blessed. I will definitely be adding you to my favorites. Bravo!!
Sam
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Woweeee phenomenal!
This just bowled me right over! I love this fantastic poem it is truly phenomenal. The sentiments all so true are so eloquently penned to poetic perfection, and I love this...
"A child is born in warmth and grace;
Two parents gaze upon his face;
In their eyes, a 'Priceless Gem';
This new creation, a part of them"
and ...
"Yes, in this land, so ripped and torn,
A child has died; A man is born!"
Sensational start and ending framing a masterpiece that I hope is in print out there, this should be sent to the forces and to the families of them, it is highoy inspirational and vitally important.
Brilliant ... just brilliant! Bravo! This is Poet Laureate at work... YOU are the biz, well done, love it immensely, most enchanting and delightful and uplifting read.
Poetic Hugs & Congratulations on yet another masterpiece!
Kaz.
Kazytc xx
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This was an excellent poem. So full of emotions. At first I thought... oh my god... he got killed, but when I finally read right after that, I am like oh few. Such a great ending for a great poem. Keep on writing.
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This piece is so full of wonderful emotion ~ this read so smoothly and was an enjoyable read
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very amazing
this is a lovely peice -
SO HEARTFELT...I love it...it's the best one of yours I have read yet...So good for it to have only been your firtst poem, it shows that just because your skills grow as you do doesn't mean that the most skillfull poem is the best poem, the best poem is the most heart felt...I love the last two lines, Yes, in this land so ripped and torn A child has died; A man is born!
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Such a heart felt write
Indeed I have a great nephew that has just been redied to go to Iraq and worry is not the word for it for as I hugged that little man they prepared for war something he thinks he knows what to expect he held me there for as though to say I know and I will be careful only its like we both knew it could be our last long hug of showing ove and caring . I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life . Bravo on this write and my prayers are with each and ever man and woman out there today protecting our homes
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A Huge Smile Has Grown
You were born to be the man! I have to add your work as quick references for many others to see. Thank you for becoming a member!
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Excellent
Oh my goodness.
This is such a wonderfully penned piece of poetry.
WOW!!!!!!!
I am awestruck with this one.
WOW!!!!!!!
I really don't know what else to say.
Keep up with the great work.
Keep on penning.
Thank you so very much for sharing your wonderful talents.
*S* Cynthia
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wow
buried you write some tear jerking poetry, thats good though nice to read a tribute for those that have passed as well as those who have to serve now keep up the great writing
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top notch
man i like how you lay everything out in a very plain yet effective way in some of your poetry, its like telling someone that their freind has an incurrable disease rather than saying "he wont be around much longer"
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I think this captures very well the dreams of parents for their child and the ways the things of life change him/her.
Good write!
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Excellent
This poem is so full of emotion.It tells the story well and the flow of the poem is not forced.It was easy to read and understand and very much so heartfelt.I agree with all the other comments left on your poem, there is nothing much more left for me to say.These lines here...
A child has died---A man is born!....
Are just awesome, really tugs at the readers heart.Well done my friend, you have written an excellent poem, keep penning those thoughts!
Take care and many blessings to you.
angel.
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My dad served in Vietnam....He did not come back the same man. One of the only ones in his platoon(?) to survive after the first guy stepped on a land mine. He awas saved by that fact that he was wearing the radio..He called for help and than laid down to die. Unfortunately he did not die there.....it took him 33 years to drink himself to death trying to escape the horrors. I buried the man who gave me life but could not handle his own this past Oct. My heart is still heavy over knowing that I never got the chance to know him and never will.... I am so glad that you made it out of there!!! God bless you....I salute you my veteran!!!
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Exelent
Hi AL how are you this is a very well ritten poem you show great talent in all that you write I always like reading your work as it has great meaning and great reading value you also are a great mate and now that I have compleatly left pp I will be here every chance I get so I hope you are doing well and am looking forword to reading all your great poems take care my friend all the best from your little Aussie mate Colin
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this was outstanding
your flow was perfect
but your message was
all reality
wonderful poetry
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You Are Amazing!
This is now the third piece I have read ... and again it sent shivers up my spine and down my arms ... I just love your form ... your purity ... your loving sense of self ... you are so amazing ... a poet that should go published ... I loved it ... so graceful ... so tender ... and so loving towards the two people that raised you throughout your life ... they are very lucky parents ... you turned out to be a good man ... and a loving son -
this is a
Good poem and flows nicely , I like how it tells a short story as well the rhyme is very low and not dramatically over done nice write. -
there is a beautiful flow in this poem...parents do worry about their kids going off to war and praying that they will be okay!!much much love!!
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This is very nice to very smooth flowing and the rhyme is not that noticeable. Excellent!!
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This was just amazing. Sad in it's reality and something every parent fears
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How true it is..
Sometimes we wish we could just keep them in our arms and protect them. Instead of them protecting us.
You do an amazing job with rhyme. It just flows and I've noticed you do it well in all genres.
All the best~
~Joy
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The last line, "A child has dies---A man is born" is my favorite. It's powerful and beautiful. You have a wonderful way with words. Keep it up,
~Avan~
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What Parents go through during times of war
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What my parents went through
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I agree with "Wow!"
What a poignant and important poem this is.
Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for your Feedback---I am new to this web-site and I hope to read much of your work in the near future---Thanks again !!----AL (Buried Treasures)
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Wow!
Your poem is very nice. I like how it captures the deep feelings of growth and change. I also like how you made the entire poem fit together. You did a great job. Thanks for sharing.
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