The Midwest Mother
Was frightened
As she read the mail
With dismay
Her little boy
Had been drafted
And was needed
Without delay
She feared for him
He said, “Mom, don’t cry for me
I will serve my country gladly
And make you proud, you’ll see.”
She heard from him in boot camp
Received letters every week
But once he got deployed
The frequency was bleak
Then came a knock
On her front door
She knew the news was bad
Her senses she could not ignore
They said he died in battle
And was lost in the night
He was trying to protect civilians
And was caught in a firefight.
Condolences they gave
And left her to grieve
She no longer had her son
It was hard to believe.
Folded flag on her lap
Purple Heart clutched in hand
She held her composure
Until the bagpipes began.
For years, her heart, it was broken
Then came another knock
Like before
A Vietnamese college student
Stood
At the door
He told her the story
Of the man
Who saved a child
He said, “It was your son,
And it was me.”
Then he smiled.
He gave her the tags
That hung around
Her sons neck
And a simple message
Her son said
To relay
With his last breathe
“Tell my Mom, I love her,
And it’s because of her
Who I am.
She taught me to think of others
No matter what the jam.”
“Your son he is a hero.
If not for him, I would not be.”
I promised I would find you
I told him, ” I will make you proud….
You’ll see.”
Good2begone 