I watched as each day he grew
Into a man that was so proud
Watching as he set each of his goals
Each reaching higher then the clouds
As man he walked out my door
To serve his country in time of need
So all that had been one for us each
Can to this very day remain freed
Then the call came late one night
He softly said Mom I have to go
People are in need and need our help
The might of this great nation we will show
I reassured him with loving words
When in my heart I felt worry and pain
I assured him that he would be all right
In my heart and thoughts he would remain
They are calling now Mom I will say good bye
Taking your love with me to keep me strong
Knowing once again soon I will see your smile
And to be in your arms I will surely long
The days passed us by so slow in time
News I watched with a heavy heart each day
At night I would pray to the lord above
To keep my hero out of harms way
Any time the day the phone would ring
Fear would quickly consume my thought
Was it the call that my hero had fallen
Laying under a draped flag home he would brought
Relief I would find when friends asked if any word
As they too waited for this hero to come back to me
Knowing he would stand tall and do all they asked
Keeping our freedoms running so free
Listen! I hear a light knock on the door
The hour was late who could this be
I raised from my chair of heavy sorrow
Going quickly to the door so I could see
Looking out I saw a shell of a man
The beaten it took it surely did show
Quickly I opened the door to let him in
This was the day of return for my hero
He slowly raised his head and looked at me
Through hollow dark eyes I saw the pain
His heart and mind were gone and dead
As just a shell he now did remain
He fell into my arms and started to cry
His body trembling totally out of control this day
Unable to speak through his quivering lips
Why had such a brave hero been made to pay this way
I comforted him with all the love that I had
Wanting him to know to me he would not change
That he was no different from when he left
Arms holding my loved hero now so strange
He talked of the killings and seeing friends die
Of deeds that were ordered and carried out
The pain that he felt yet obeyed each one
When his mind sat silent, his heart with pain did shout
Each day had taken a toll on his bravery and honor
People condemning him for all he had done
First he fought back with violent retorts
"For God's sake! Do you think this was for me fun!"
I knew there was damage way deep inside
As his pain was deeper then I had seen any go
But in my heart I knew in my arms I had
The remains of my brave and honored hero
I soothed him with the warmth of my hand
Only comfort into his world did I want to bring
Telling him in my loving words so soft
That pride in my heart for him did sing
He looked up at me and over those trembling lips
As I could feel his body trembling with fright
He spoke the words so soft I could barely hear
"Tell me Mom, honestly please, that everything will be all right
I saw the tears streaming as he released his pain
Words to answer of them I did not know
Then it came to me the most important he needed
I said, "Remember son you are my hero"
He looked up and I saw a slight smile
Back down in my lap he laid his head
A heavy sigh I heard him then take
As if a heavy load he now shed
I listened to his breathing as he faded to sleep
My eyes closed into mine too I did go
When I awoke he laid limp in my arms
Now I was holding the true shell of my hero
He had taken his last breath being held in love
His life taken well before he died
I brought him to my lips and with a loving kiss
Fighting back my tears of pain I tried
Now only memories of that man I knew
The brave hero I watched leave with a sigh
His last comforts I was able to bring to him
As my hero returned home to die
Tall Mountain Dreamer
