Welcome Home, My Son

In a very long few hours of driving, my son will be home after six years of serving in the Marine Corp.

At seventeen
High school all done
You knew what you wanted
Your mind made up

I tried to dissuade
I spoke of the rigors of the rules
Of never having a choice of your own
Military life so different from all you had known

Then there was the fear in my heart
The horrors of my own past
The fear that you, my son
Might have to face
The bombs, the bullets
The dying faces

Decision made
I tried to keep quiet
I tried not to argue
The decision you made

You wanted to go immediately
But the Corp made you wait
Then your eighteenth birthday
Only three days past
It was time for you to go

The memory of that drive to drop you off
Stands so clear Metallica blaring loudly
�Nothing Else Matters� they played
I could only grit my teeth and hold your knee
So hard to fight back the tears and the fears
But then you were gone and I had to walk away
Tears I had kept hidden began to flow

All thru Boot the letters I wrote
Each one filled with encouragement and love
Each one saying �Nothing Else Matters�
Just come home safe.

Those years passed so slowly
So many accomplishments
So much to make an old man proud

The leaves all too short
So little the Time
How grateful I am the Corp
Let you be home when Chris
Crossed over

And now six long years later
On Monday, July the 7th
A simple phone call
Your voice so clear and strong
Reading aloud those final orders
�Dad, I�m done I�m coming home!�
What music to an old mans ear
�Nothing Else Matters�
In a few hours my Marine, my son
Will be home

Reviews

[ljc]

Found myself feeling the suspense near the end hoping your son would be coming home alive. Very effective writing, enjoyed the read.

[Laura Sparkle]

Moving piece. I applaud your son's courage and I am happy he came home safely. :)

[BrightEyes]

I'm so happy for you and your family - so glad that phone brought cheery news! A big Thank You to your son - as all those who serve deserve and best of wishes to all of you. Those strongest emotions within us bring out the best writes - as this is. well done.

[Angel's Lady]

What a handsome boy! Well, by now he must be home and you've heard his stories and hugged his neck. All my best to you and your family. Great write here, Dad!

[Windy]

Wow, how wonderful he is comming home safely. These men and woman who serve our country to keep up here at home safe, they are all heros' to me. I wish they could have all come home a long time ago but I know they go where their duty lays. I wish you the very best and tell your son he has admirers all over the place. God Bless him and I wish him the very best on his return. As for your writing, it was very well done, very powerful and moving. I must say I agree with Sydelle "Dad I'm Comming Home" must have made you nearly drop to your knees, it did me. Though it was hard to let him go I know you are so very proud of the man/soldier he has become. and "NOTHING ELSE MATTERS" :)

[Samuel Dickens]

I know you're proud---and relieved. I wish they all came back. Sam

[Sydelle Houston]

Those six words -- "Dad I'm Done I'm Coming Home!" made my heart soar for you and our country. How proud you must be! Great read!

[Poeticpiers]

Sons have to make their own way and fathers stand back and allow them at some stage we become equal adults having both learnt something

[Lily1111]

The one thing I have always loved about the way you write is that you hold nothing back. You open yourself up and invite us all inside for a look around. At your invitation, we ride the rollercoaster of your emotions from your fear for your son's well-being that must be hidden so as not to interfere with his growth to the elation of the phone call that he is coming home. Such pride and love for your son is woven in your words it is palpable. Please do me a favor and tell your handsome son that I said thank you most sincerely for his service to our country. As for you, I could almost hear your sigh of relief in this poem. Wonderful, just wonderful on so many levels.

[Russell Rose]

My friend your words always hit me in the gut. I've been there; I've done that; I've felt that way. I've held my breath when the phone rang; when a sudden knock came on the door.
Rejoice that your boy is home. Pray that other Fathers and Mothers will know that joy and not the alternative.
As always, wonderfully written.
J Russell Rose