He's off to war, I'm stuck at home. What do I do?

Question

"Prayer for My Soldier"

Your music

brought tears

from the gods,

but they replaced

piano keys

with bullets;

violin strings

with garotte wires.

If only I

could take your place.

You were not made

for blood.

I was not made

for peace.

Where do you go,

little brother?

Don't let them

wash away your song

in desert sands.

Author's Note: My brother is now officially in Iraq, outside of Baghdad. As far as I know, he's attached to the 82nd Airborne. He went on his first mission yesterday, as a gunner guarding a convoy. The last gunner didn't fare so well, and that's all we know. Please join me in wishing him well, and wishing him home.

Answer 1

I will pray for the safe return of your brother, and all who wear our uniforms.

Answer 2

im sorry to hear that hes in Iraq...i too have family in Iraq...so i feel ur pain!...ill wish him that he does well....ur poem is very touching; i especially like ur second stanza thing...i think thats what its called...idk..."but they replaced piano keys with bullets; violin strings with garotte wires..." that was very moving...i am a musician myself, so those words were taken to heart....i really enjoyed this poem!

Answer 3

he will, with all the brave men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, be held in hearts till they are home.

Answer 4

*HUGS* Very good thoughts and wishes are headed his way along with prayers a plenty.

You put that down beautifully, touched my soul and brought tears to my eyes.. May God be with both you and your brother now and in the ensuing days.

Answer 5

I'm praying for him. That was a beautiful poem!

Answer 6

He is now safely in our prayers.

Answer 7

Your brother is in my prayers for his fast return home.  

Answer 8

My best wishes...

But my psychic powers say he's going to come out of the whole thing a-okay...

With much love and thanks to him...

Pocket Protectorate

Answer 9

Your words are truly touching!  Especially "You were not made for blood,  I was not made for peace".  How many such young people are forced to fight this meaningless war 'against their intrinsic nature' !?! And how many people truly know the nature of a person except those really close to him!?!

Here I imagine a tender-hearted young man,  not yet fully tasted beauty of life, being forced amidst ugliness...for whose benefit?

I sincerely hope & wish,  he and all like him,  are safe and will be home soon!

Answer 10

i wish your brother back with all the rest.

and pray protection in this test.

http://www.omgwhatever.com/mars/82ndbro....

the soldiers take care of each other.

and they also have this near unbelievable dominating tech fire power to do so.

be sure and send him pics of you and family and his favorite places

for when he gets a chance to get to a comp.

your willingness to trade with him is heartfelt,

but soldiers arent sent to war just for sacrifice.

( i think a traded sacrifice is denied!)

..sounds like your brother knows how to handle the big guns.

give him trust in and for his skill with that.. it is needed...its not easy tho.  none of this is.

Answer 11

You and your brother will have a special place in my prayers.

What is his name?

I LOVE the last stanza! Awesome.

Answer 12

I wish him safety, as I do all the men and women fighting in this war.

Your last stanza is superb.

Answer 13

i'm sorry, i hope he comes home safe and well