Legacy

Silver-rimmed cap
Shone in the sun
Polished black boots
And holding a gun

Back straight as a rod
Unwavering gaze
Tears shone, almost spilling
Ending boot camp days

The young man stood
Saluting and proud
In a line of soldiers
In front of a crowd

I remember that noon
Quite as well as the rest
When I watched him march off
Among the best

My Marine, my pride
Endured the worst
Insulted and pushed
Berated and cursed

He came home a man
A warrior and more
Then my Marine
He was called off to war

“Semper Fidelis”
That’s what they say
“Always Faithful”
And faithful he stayed

The day I said goodbye
An emotional scene
But there would be another time
I would see my Marine

The calls came
The letters went
I can’t recount
The hours I spent


The nights in turmoil
The worrying days
Dreading the knock
The unwavering gaze

The eyes that would tell me
He wouldn’t have to talk
I’d know just as soon
As he came up the walk

Nevertheless
A letter came home
And that afternoon
While the sun shone

Beating down on the people
And lawns trimmed clean
Passed children playing ball
Scattered leaves no longer green

The car came up the street
Two Marines inside
Turned right on Maple
And into my drive

I didn’t hear them
As they came up the walk
With eyes that would tell me
With no need to talk

Oh, my Marine
Yes he came home
In a beautiful coffin
With a flag of his own

And as I stand here
His medals in hand
It doesn’t take too much
To understand

“Semper Fidelis”
There’s pride in that phrase
“Always Faithful”
To the end of his days