Poems Words Of Encouragement By Diana Alvarez / last year Share Tweet Pin Share The Land of the Free Written By Diana Marie Alvarez The irrefutable declaration to the world was announced A call to fight for a cause yet ready to be elucidated With pride a young fatigue-clad soldier pledged to fight Stood with Teutonic grace upon his weight He boarded his plane; a metamorphosis took place A quest – a mission in his heart he would embrace Bound for unknown lands to beat any unbeatable foe What steep incline lie ahead? Expectations so deceitful? Boot camp so grueling, exhausting, emotionally accelerating Discipline, a daily lesson the sergeant taught drilling The very whisper of immunity drilled into every fiber Duty, honor, and courage made clear to each new soldier Trampling over the foreign soil; to him a fear so paralyzing! Screams, crying, rifles firing, aircraft soaring, and bombs blaring “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” he uttered Passing trenches filled with human sacrifices, his nostrils saturated As transitory days unfolded like an earthquake tremble; unpredictable Scrupulous humans of invincible determination marched hopeful Temptation to question his duty, honor, and country oppressed his soul He watched helplessly his friends and foes whisper a hope; their spirits let go A heart callused, conscience seared, shouting, “God, where are you?” Fields of confusion, anger, hatred, and revenge; it was wrong, he knew Delirious by the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave Who here to witness the patriotic self-abnegation of a soul so brave? To fight this war was honorable he was told; surrendering, forbidden Asking himself, “Is the honor and purpose in all this hidden?” Weeping upon pictures of the faces of his own seed and wife Suddenly he was reminded of the true purpose of life Destiny in hands like his made him custodian of his Nation’s defense To stand for dignity, liberty, and freedom only others would witness Remembering those who lay in marked graves with white crosses Newfound courage swelled within to fight for future masses No one – no human race will take that which belonged to one! With enduring fortitude, he picked up his rifle; there was a battle to be won For all humans had the right to choose, the right to be, The right to believe and live in the land of the free.
