The Soldier

A poem about empty nationalism and war

The soldier left childhood behind.
He put away his games
replacing a plastic rifle
with a real one.
In exchange,
he gave his mother the heart
that used to beat to his youthful spirit
for a clock.
Ticking down the moments until he can
embrace without crushing
scream without fearing
and love without revealing weakness.
The mother hopes the clock will keep ticking
each second a relief
knowing her second heart
has not stopped.
She only waves the flag
to call him home.

© 2006 Josh W