A Soldier's Mother

Sitting in her home office,
a pristine, spotless, organized space,
she rereads her sons letters,
emotions flitting across her face.

Little Jack, not so little anymore,
quite a young man, tall and proud.
Always interested in freedom and liberty
he decided to join the Marines, “I will” he vowed.

“Jack was always so determined,”
she whispered to the walls.
Closing her eyes she remembered the nights
lying shivering, praying for him not to falter when duty calls.

Sighing, she picks up another letter
the most recent, received just the day before.
To: My Dearest Mother
From: Jack, Private, Marine Corps

Smiles leaped to her face,
as she hastily unfolded the letter:

To My Dearest Mother,
How are you? How is Dad?
How fares my little brother?
It’s been so long, but I miss you guys.
Six months, two weeks and a day,
I haven’t been able to make a phone call,
everything over here is in disarray.
But I have good news,
I know it will please you.
In a week I am coming home,
the troops are being renewed.
I’ll see you then!
Meet me at the airport door,
I’ll be home safe and sound.
You won’t have to worry anymore.
Your Son,
Jack

Laughing aloud, she danced around,
the thought of her son, making her feel better.

Joy coursing through her veins,
she starts towards the den,
when a sharp rap at the door makes her stop.
She composes herself, counting to ten.

She opens the door with a pleasant smile,
to see two Marines, rigid, in dress blues
with grave voices they tell her the news-
her son, dead at twenty-two.

© Joshua Bryant Cole