(Photography of Miah James Ebel, Son and USAF Soldier, and Kelly Mae Johnson, Mom, clasping hands the last time he was on leave.)
Dear Soldier,
I'm the mother of a son who has risen to Freedom's call
To fight a war against terror's grip, bringing liberty to all.
I've watched you kneel down in grief before a comrade who has died;
Such loss cannot be measured; raining tears one cannot hide.
I want each one of you to know you will never walk alone;
When tears fell upon fresh graves, know we've prayed them home.
I've watched you each try to sleep to a bullet-sung lullaby;
Later reading letters from home, encouraging you to try.
I've watched the fear etched in your faces, as each attack would start;
Please know you're not alone; I live in every soldier's heart.
I've watched you take a bullet, and yet you never gave up the fight;
Acting with uncommon valor, facing terror day and night.
In the aftermath, I watched you hand out candy to a child;
As she scampered fast away, I watched you as you smiled.
I've watched you dig up shallow graves; sweet victims of genocide;
While consoling a grief-stricken mother; whose only child had died.
You've dabbed away an old man's tears shed for loved ones buried deep
As he knelt beside graves nearby, I watched you pray their souls to keep.
You've shown mercy on the enemy, only because you care;
Knowing, if given the chance, he'd have buried you then and there.
I know your tears of agony have betrayed your hidden grief;
As intense anger took hold while you fought with no relief.
Until I have walked in your shoes, I can only empathize,
While others choose to point fingers and more so to criticize.
I, myself, can never repay for all you've endured and done,
But I can stand beside you all; yes, every single one.
I will fight the battle here, should terrorists seek to destroy;
My strength shall persevere and all my courage I'll employ.
I've watched you fight for me with intense resolve and courage too.
That only motivates my stance as I fight beside each of you.
I can never repay losses, for those losses are my own;
Yet I want each one of you to know, you never fought alone!
Thank you to everyone who left such touching comments! Soldiers will not only read this poem, but every comment. It's traveling, fast. I know these words of inspiration will have a great impact, and will reach soldiers and loved ones--not just from the U.S.--and will, hopefully, help heal some wounded hearts, because we have let them know we care.-- Kel
(Miah, I'm holding your hand, just like in this picture. Always know that. Always know that I am near. I love you and I won't let you down. Be waiting for you when you come home. And I know you will come home--Love, Mom)
By Kelly Varner Johnson
Gold trophy winner
Adding your comment:
christina
freda
... do you think the troops should come home now and let the UN tidy up the mess we all made over there ?.
