a soldier's sacrifice MEMORIAL DAY 2003

So far from the home I love
I pray to the one above
I’ve made the right choice
To leave family
And friends
Behind
To travel to a foreign land
I raised my right hand
And I swore to defend
The Constitution
And I have to trust
The institution
That sent me here
That if I have to take a
Bullet or bow to a bomb
My life will be worth it
My will to preserve it
My country of democracy
My country built on freedom
Not hypocrisy
I hope my life will
Keep their lives
My friends
My family
My Husband
My Wife
My children
Safe and Free
And not too lonely
Not like me here
In a strange country
Wondering if
I did the right thing
Trusting that I did
That my life is worth it
That they’ll believe
Like I did
And if it isn’t true
They’ll know I
Fought the honest fight
And they’ll make it right
By caring
By finding out
The Truth
By finding
A better way

Kamala Parker, now a resident of east Asheville, traveled to Asia and Europe while serving in the U.S. Military. She is currently a senior at UNCA finishing a Literature and Language degree. She writes poetry and screenplays while making a living as a Personal Fitness Trainer. [ truthteam@bellsouth.net ]