I brought them home today,
Two young little boys,
They ran off to fight a war,
Not yet realizing it wasn't with toys,

Their faith and hopes were high,
Ideals of patriotism beyond all bound,
Lives so young, so full of promise,
Snuffed out in an instant,
When their iron bird hit the ground,

Then one final flight was theirs to be made,
In long shiny boxes by our flag raped,
Haunting wails from the families filling the air,
From mothers who would seek to build hope from despair,

I longed to comfort them,
To coddle and hold them, tell them I care,
But I could only stand at attention, my face a empty blank stare,
As grief unbearable ripped at my soul,

Each sparkling silent tear burned,
As it coursed it's way down my cheek,
I found myself standing there,
Feeling helpless and weak, wondering,
How many more would I welcome home in this way.