Live your life like someone left the gate open.
“Why someone else’s son and not me?”
I had no answer.
Go.
Run with the wind
Laugh with the children
in Africa
remember your country
trust no-one
remember your people
trust no-one
remember your mother
trust no-one
remember to polish your boots, shave your head, wash the uniform of the American infantry, salute with your hand just above the right eyebrow, left hand at the waist holding an imaginary roll of coins, brush your teeth when you can, Skype home when you can, hold onto memories of drinking tea with your mother, laughing at the two Labradors as they chase chickens and squirrels, hold tight to your buddies, watch your back, watch their back, love your enemy while you shoot him in the face, don’t let him shoot you in the back, come home in a year, come home in one piece,
just
come home
5 Comments on “To my son on deployment to Africa…”
Beautiful! My heart goes out to you. My son returns home to me next week after serving in the military for six years.
So lovely and lyrical!!
So lovely and lyrical
Thanks Ellen and Delphine.
In a few words you reveal the enormous love you have for your son.