This is not a poem that I wrote, but one that my father wrote when my brother, then 17 years old and a junior in high school, was drafted into the Army during World War II. He was sent to Germany. I'll never forget his homecoming. What a reunion! My Daddy, sister and brother-in-law drove to Evansville, Indiana to meet him at the bus station. They got home around 10:30 PM to a waiting, joyous family.

My Boy

My little boy went out from home
To take a soldier's place,
He knew not where his steps would roam
But trusted in God's Grace.

He did not like this turn in life
But took it like a man,
And said; "with others in this strife...
I'll do the best I can."

He little knew what he must face
This boy of mine so dear,
But in his heart was God's great grace
Which kept him from all fear.

He took his Bible as he went
He keeps it by his side,
He knows it's words are Heaven sent
It's message is world wide.

This boy of mine has crossed the sea
With other boys his size,
I know that he still thinks of me
He knows he's in my eyes.

He's in my eyes, this boy of mine
And in my heart to stay,
This little boy, he is so fine
He must come back some day!

We've lent him to the Lord for this
He knows he's in God's Hand,
Though every day his face we miss
He'll do a work that's grand.

He's not the only boy, I know
But just the same you see,
This boy of mine, I love him so
He's just the boy for me!

He'll test things out by God's great book
He'll find the way that's right,
It's precepts he'll not over look
His faith will be his sight.

This boy of mine is overseas
And thrown with wicked men,
But he'll be found upon his knees
When he is tried by sin.

This is my hope, and all my stay
In this I find much joy,
While I just wait for that glad day
When I shall see my boy!!

Dedicated to my son, Billy, 1946
Daddy
(James Carlin Lilly)

©Donna Lilly Marcus 2000-2002
All Rights Reserved