Special Note: This poem was written for a World War II project. We had to make a scrapbook and interview a veteran and take pictures of their memorabilia, and we could also include original poetry, so I wrote this poem for my scrapbook. You can also find this poem listed at Poetry.com, where I entered it in the monthly contest.
America--A Soldier's Ode
I knew the day would come,
that I would have to leave you and go to war.
You have meant so much to me,
And knowing that in an instant,
I could never see you again,
I took as much of you in as possible,
Before I left for that bloody battle.
You are like a friend.
You have a lot to offer.
Something for which to live.
Always there for me.
This makes me proud to be fighting for you,
America, home of the free.
Julie Hill
Copyright ©2000 Julie Hill