A broken man to us he came
On trembling knees and tired feet
For months not knowing his outcome
Living through hell, us to meet
Watching as he stumbled a time or two
Making his way to freedom this way
Tears hung heavy in our eyes
The pain we felt what could we say
A hesitation, stumble, down he fell
Proudly standing wipes from him the dirt
Tears of happiness streaming from his eyes
Inside all that watched was pain and hurt
Once a strong and powerful man was he
Called to serve the country that he did love
Laying his life out each day at work
Praying for protection to the lord above
No help would he ask for nor receive
His pride would be what helped him through
Silence fell all around us as we watched
Knowing there was nothing else we could do
His way was made slowly to his country’s flag
One he had embraced since a child alone
Never asking anything of it as into a man he grew
His pride in it each day had slowly grown
Nearer he came to colors on display
The flag of his pride, the red, white and blue
Reaching a trembling arm out he stumbled
Lumps came to our throats as we watched this view
As he stumbled that flag he grabbed for
Hoping it would serve him now like he had it
Not letting him fall to the ground so hard
The strength in the flag he knew wouldn’t quit
On bended knees on the dust filled ground he knelt
With the flag he slowly covered his darkened face
Shallow sobbing could be heard all around
As once again his country’s flag he did embrace
Watching with pride and honor at this frail man
An American hero of this I was truly sure
One that kept honor and pride in his country
I could feel his pain that was now so pure
He turned to us now and in a soft voice said
“I ask that you do not cry for me”
“I have honored the one thing in which I have pride”
“I did it so we could all remain happy and free”
“Instead I ask that you now take my hand”
“In a show of unity for this proud great land”
“Letting all know that we will defend her until the end”
“United as heroes together we will all stand”
One by one we all walked over to him
A line was formed as hand in hand we stood
Turning we walked away as a human chain
This hero in the middle as well he should
Looking back over the memories of that day
I recall the lesson that was taught to us all
Not a person with pride in the country they love
Would hesitate to answer her when she did call
I now close my eyes and lay down my weary head
This darkened night to try and get some sleep
Bombs bursting all around me as there I lay
The vision of this honored soul I will forever keep
© Tall Mountain Dreamer
