• He tells me to go,
    I tell him, “No!
    I’m not leaving with out you!”
    Overhead the bombs flew
    The neighboring house was its target,
    The explosion sent the children into a fit.
    They cry and a cling to me,
    He yells, “Can’t you see?
    They know you’ll protect them!
    Fight for them and defend them!”
    I looked at him and closed my eyes.
    We both knew that if he stayed, he would die.
    He whispered, “Please dear sister,
    My dearest and only sister,
    Tell mom I love her and that she’s the best
    And tell dad he was my hero above the rest.”
    The children continued to sob,
    Then we saw the attacking mob.
    And I knew we would not die in this foreign land!
    I looked at my solider, my dear brother, and we both knew
    What we had to do.
    And I told him, “I’ll pray for you.”
    I took the children in a line,
    Not daring to look behind,
    We made a run for the back,
    Just as bullets peppered the shack.
    Two children fell, the one closest in line to me,
    That left only three.
    I knew the way to the base,
    But I could not forget my brother’s face.
    I told the children to go to the closest town
    And that I’d be there by sundown.
    I ran back to our beat-up shack,
    But little could prepare me for the next attack.
    As I reached the city walls,
    Our hideout came to a fall.
    I ran to our humble stall,
    To see if my brother was under the heavy wall.
    Then I heard my name being called.
    I turned around and there he was!
    My soldier! His scrapes and bruises were wrapped in gauze,
    He told me the mob had fled,
    And most of them were dead.
    Their lives dampen the ground,
    So it was best that we weren’t found.
    We got to the next town
    Right before sundown.
    The children ran up to me
    And told me they loved me.
    Because when I sent them to the town,
    They arrived safe and sound,
    To the place with their family and friends.
    I wanted to thank my brother,
    But all I heard was his laughter.
    I guessed he was with the chief,
    But when I entered his cabin, there was only grief.
    I asked what had happened,
    For outside it was all smiles and joy,
    But he was on the radio.
    He looked at me and said they found a torso,
    With the head intact, where we had been,
    In our humble little shack.
    The house was a wreck,
    But they read the dog tags on the neck,
    He said he was sorry,
    And looked at me sadly.
    I asked why.
    He paused and let out a sigh,
    Saying “It’s your brother.”
    I stared at him open mouthed.
    “No!” I yelled, “It can’t be!
    He’s out there! Don’t you see?”
    The chief went outside,
    “He’s not here. He died.”
    I shook my head and ran to the top of a hill.
    As I neared the top, I felt a sudden chill.
    Then I herd my brother laugh in my ear.
    “Sister dear, tell mom she’s the best,
    And tell dad he was my hero above the rest.”
    Tears flooded over my eyes, “no,”
    I whispered, “You can’t go.”
    “Don’t worry,” I heard him whisper,
    “My time is done. Im with Jesus and Grand mommy,
    But there is something you must promise me,”
    I choked back my tears, “Anything.” I whispered.
    “Live your life, but don’t forget about me.
    I am proud to have served in the Army.
    And here’s something that far over due.
    I’ve never said it, but I love you.
    Now don’t forget to tell mom and dad.
    And don’t forget all the fun times we’ve had”
    “Anything, dear brother,” I said,
    “Anything for you.” I smiled,
    “And I love you too.”
    A gust of wind blew over me,
    Then I could see, the spirit of my brother,
    Waving good-bye, one last time.
    I spoke to him again, “I love you, and I’ll always pray for you.”