The Boys Room

end the war now

The first night

you and your brother

slept in this room

you were entering

Kindergarten.

In sickness and in

health this room

restored you,

sheltered you

and kept you safe.

It was a special place,

where you found refuge

and the space you needed

to mature and grow.

For thousands of nights,

you safely slumbered here;

experiencing fantastic dreams

of danger and heroic adventure

that fill the night reveries

of all sleeping boys.

For thousands of days,

this room filled

with daydreams

and the happy clatter

of play time

as you wondered

and prepared

to become the man

you were meant to be.

I witnessed and

experienced

much of your journey

through many

of those days.

I was anointed by this

gracious blessing

to see you,

your brother

and sister

grow strong,

independent,

and united in

close bonds

of love, respect

and trust

for one another.

My life

has brought me

no greater satisfaction

then being able

to provide you

with the safety

of a loving

sanctuary

where all this

could be so.

The day I watched you,

as your brother did before

stand in this room

packing a duffel bag

to leave for the service;

I silently

prayed

that

someday

you would

return to

the safety

of this room.

I watched as

you carefully

reviewed

all the items

you had neatly

laid out on your bed;

boots, socks

and uniforms;

the necessities

of a military life

now replacing

the orphaned  

play things  

filling the room.

I knew as I watched you pack

that I stood witness to a man

putting away the childish things

of youth; inconsequential artifacts

for you that now held deeper

meaning for me.

The soldier was ready

to leave his boyhood home

to learn, train and prepare

to lead other men

in the serious business

of war.

The spring day sunshine

that flowed into the room

that afternoon framed

you in a new

magnificent light.

I no longer saw the boy

who had occupied

this room for a

few thousand days. I

now looked upon

a young man,

resolute in purpose,

of firm caliber

and upright character

standing before me.

The former boy who

grew up in this room

had become

a man dedicated

to the serious pursuit

of matters that

engage men

in a life of

service and

honor.

It was a blessed experience

to see you in this light,

and come to the realization

that this room would no longer

be a safe sanctuary for you

and I could no longer shield you

from the dangers of the world.

You are off to pitch

vulnerable bivouacs

and sleep in muddy foxholes;

willingly placing yourself

and the men you will

command into harm’s way.

It is said

“The child is father to the man”

and now it is left to you to assure

the freedom and safety of a father

who keeps your room ready

with the expectant hope

and fervent prayer

of your safe

return home.

I love you.

Dedicated with

love and respect for

GWM and PJM

Paul Robeson:

Little Man You Had Busy Day

jbm

11/14/11

Oakland