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.
