I Cry Alone
In the paper, on the news, each day there is another
Article relating to another fallen brother
Each eulogized for what they did and how they were so brave
A nation mourns their youthful death, salutes fired at their grave
I watch as everyone bemoans the needless loss of life
And gives support to mothers, dads, a husband or a wife
To help them mend their empty hearts, sooth the grief they feel
Giving comfort where they can to help the families heal
I'm grateful for the love they get, their help do not bemoan
But I too have an aching heart as I sit here alone
You see, I also lost a son, the center of my life
The little boy I loved so much, his loss cuts like a knife
He was not a soldier, his country did not serve
But even so to die so young, he did not deserve
My boy was an addict, the scars of drugs he bore
He tried so hard to shake it, he fought a private war
You will not read about him, no medals will be hung
No glowing declarations said, no praises will be sung
The nation will not feel a loss, though my life is undone
He'll always be my hero, he'll always be my son
Many families have suffered the loss of a child, regardless of reason. It is how we treat that fine line between the soldier and the "all others" that I hoped to express.. Their families grieve no less.
P.S. This poem was not written from personal experience.
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