My Brother

photo by Specialist Edward Siguenza of the 69th Public Affairs Detachment; 49th Military Police Brigade

My Brother

A poem by Walker Andreasen

A coffin draped with a flag of stripes,

a flag of stars and a flag of strife.

The man encased there in pine

he was my equal, a brother of mine.

We met one night on a bus

because to training it was for us.

We had both signed papers with words that said,

"I will protect my country, even 'till death."

Through the shouts and the screams,

that persisted  all day it seems,

my brother would smile and say,

"To me, it's just another day.

I'm used to hollers and screams,

to being told nothing is what my life means."

I would look at this man with a frown;

a brother from another town.

Then the day we became men.

Our families and honeys, greeted us then.

"My little boy is now a Soldier."

wept my mother on my shoulder.

Then one day the orders came,

and we knew things would never be the same.

"Pack your bags!" said our Commander.

"We're off to war, because of slander."

We fought and fought, through blood and dust.

With all our brothers, made through trust.

And then at once, it happened fast,

a shout, a blur, and a blast.

In the building in which need clearing,

around a corner I was peering.

And blind to me in another room,

sat an enemy, waiting in the gloom.

I heard my brother yell at me,

to turn and look that I might see.

Yet I was slow on my turning 'round,

but I saw my brother take a bound.

He threw himself in harms way,

he disregarded where danger lay.

I closed my eyes as the shots rang out,

waiting to feel the pain about.

But when I opened my fearful eyes,

my brother lay there to my despise.

He looked at me with a grin,

"I'm going home, to live with Him."

His eyes they closed there with peace

he died it seemed, he died with ease.

I yelled for Doc, our combat medic,

while I held him there feeling pathetic.

And now the Sargent gives his command, 

Five Soldiers grip their rifles in hand.

At the coffin's head is where I stand,

his wife and mother hand in hand.

I raise my arm in a stiff salute

that I might follow in his boots.

"Fire!" the Sargent uttered.

Each shot hit me with a shudder.

Great was the man which lay before me,

a man who thought  so selflessly

upon his own life that other might

continue to see each day's new light.

Day's with freedom, and with peace.

That everyone will live to their each.

But yet I'm saddened with this thought:

That only few truly know the cost.

And yet they yell and scream and shout,

for they know not what we're about.

Yet we continue on each day

doing ,each, what we we're trained

That they will continue to exercise their freedom,

a freedom they use just to condemn.

And I will stand here and understand

the price at which freedom costs.

 

Reviews

[Trixolomanea]

This is amazing, seriously. Beautifully expressed! Especially the line "I'm going home to live with Him." really touched me!

[TrinityHawk]

here! here!

[lee von cleef]

Thank you ,selfless light can shine out of all our hearts if we would just open them up.

[Pax]

a great tribute. a wonderful tale of brothers.

[Bats In The Belfry]

Lovely thought provoking tribute to all who have sacrificed for our nation.Beautifully written even though it was hard to read through the tears. God bless and be with you on your journey.

[Walker Andreasen]

Thank you.

[seeme]

it is an amazing poem.. very thoughtful and touching poem to read. good job.. one can feel the sincerity and grieve of the author

[Stanley Wilson]

what a thoughtful and respectful work I really enjoyed this maybe politicians should read works like this thanks for sharing this

[J. F. Charleston]

Truly one of the greatest. No words are needed after this piece.

[Walker Andreasen]

I'm curious and I must ask, what makes you say that?

[J. F. Charleston]

Because there wasn't much to say after it. The poem tells a story of a soldier and the events that happen are... extremely meaningful. It was like I was mourning the lost of the soldier.

[Walker Andreasen]

Ah. I should have directed my question my carefully. I was meaning about the "Truly one of the greatest." But thank you for the feed back! I'm glad to hear I can make my readers feel like that!

[Coyote Poetry]

I understand this poem. I was a Soldier for 15 years and I lost many friends. I stood with their children and families at my friends graves. Make me feel useless and I did not understand why? War take the best. Young people just learning to live. A very sad poem. Freedom cost a lot. I pray we have reason and purpose for sending the young people to war? Thank you for the excellent poem.
Coyote

[Walker Andreasen]

You're welcome. And thank you for your service. I report to Ft. Leonardwood(sp?) on the 18th of September for basic. And I can truly say I'm excited to serve my country.

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved my time in the Military. I saw most of the world and made great friends. If you listen to the old timers. The instructors will put you on the right track and teach you a new way to live and think. The Military is hard and fun life. I would do it again.

[Walker Andreasen]

My dad served for 27 years. 20 in the Utah National Guard and 7 prior active Air Force so I've had a huge influence here. How's Germany? I'd LOVE to go there.

[Coyote Poetry]

I was eighteen to twenty two years old when I was station in Germany. Best place for a young person to be stationed. No limit on fun.

[Walker Andreasen]

Awesome :]

[CarlyRhymes]

This has so much true emotion in it. I couldn't hold in the tears more than 3 stanzas in. Beautiful. True. Everything a poem should be.

[Walker Andreasen]

Thank you :]