Soldier's Journey

**Note: I am sorry for any historical inaccuracy of this poem. Please forgive me!**

When I finished school, I joined the reserve.
I began to feel that it was difficult and pointless to keep us all preserved.
Besides, Roosevelt said we wouldn't take part in this war.
Then, came the attacks on Pearl Harbor--just what I'd been trained for.

My convoy was shipped to Germany not too long after.
Following many days of what seemed to be peace, I witnessed disaster.
Civilians being seized for the color of their eyes and hair.
I lost a lot of buddies to snipers that we didn't know were there.

For several years, I lived minute-by-minute.
Living every second in fear of what could happen in it.
That's when I realized my life was truly NOT in my own hands,
but was guarded by the decisions of lots of other men.

I prayed for guidance. I hoped to find peace.
All the while, I saw our numbers decrease.
Finally, after years of barely escaping death,
the allies had won. I breathed a very slow breath.

I slept really well the night before
I went home to fight for life no more.
I saw more than just letters from family and friends.
When I got back--when the war came to an end.