Daughter of a Soldier | Teen Ink

Daughter of a Soldier

December 29, 2008
By LindsayLew GOLD, Dallas, Texas
LindsayLew GOLD, Dallas, Texas
11 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Daddy says that he loves me
But he has to go away
Puts it so straight foreword
That there’s nothing I can say

Our relationship was never strong
But how I’ll miss you so
I love you too dearly
Daddy I don’t want you to go

I’ll scream from the rooftop
I’ll scream it in my head
I’ll scream so silently
That nothing can be said

And I’ll cry at first
But the tears will soon grow older
After all you’re not supposed cry
When you’re the daughter of a soldier

They disarrayed our very lives
On that September day
And I know that you’ve left before
But how I wish you could stay

And you tell me not to worry
That it’ll be all right
You’ll be safe and sound forever
Even in the darkest hour of the fight

And I want to believe you
When you say you’ll be home in a year
I want to believe you
When you say there is nothing to fear

But I don’t think I can
I’m not a child anymore
And I know you’re in danger
Every time you walk out that door

So I’ll scream from the rooftop
I’ll scream it in my head
I’ll scream so silently
That nothing can be said


And I’ll cry at first
But the tears will soon grow older
After all you’re not supposed cry
When you’re the daughter of a soldier

You’re journeying across the sea
Far away you roam
So that we can all live safely
So that we can have a home

I know that I’ll miss you
And I know this is goodbye
But you’ll come home someday
At least I know you’ll try

And perhaps it will all pass me by
So much quicker then before
Because I have to stand strong
I cannot cry anymore

Because that’s what’s expected
Of a girl like me
Whose daddy’s in the army
Fighting to keep us free

And yet down my face
The tears still will fall
I don’t know how to be like dad
To not cry at all

And the tears will last forever
Until you come home they wont grow older
But I’ve got to try
Because I’m the daughter of a soldier


The author's comments:
My father is a soldier headed to Iraq, this poem really came from my heart of hearts because as the daughter of a soldier so much can be expected

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This article has 3 comments.


Janeivy said...
on Jan. 11 2009 at 7:35 pm
Col(CRying out loud)this has got to be the saddest poem ive ever read

shelbydee said...
on Jan. 11 2009 at 12:42 am
Beautiful and heartbreaking! I love it! Keep writing.

Colonel W said...
on Jan. 10 2009 at 6:47 am
I'm this poet's father and here's my response:



For over 20 years

The army's been my life

And it's never very easy

For your children or your wife



My last tour of combat

Was before you came to be

The danger then was also real

But the Lord protected me



And yes it truly breaks my heart

To see my children cry

But the need to protect my country

Is the answer as to why



To leave you for the next year

I know I can’t make sense

So in front of you I will be strong

And show my confidence



Still do not think that going away

Is easier for me

My tears do flow and I feel sad

But show it privately



I’ll miss you very deeply and

I’ll hold your photos tight

Your e-mails and your stories

Will make a difference while we fight



I do not want to leave behind

The ones I love so dear

But the call for freedom needs me

To make it safer for you here.



And though I’ll miss your birthday

I’ll toast your honor with water

Just know that there’s a soldier

Who’s extremely proud of his daughter



I love you, Lindsay

Your Dad

~Psalm 91