in memory of Marine Cpl. Brad T. Arms

this poem was written (Spring 2005) in honor of Brad Arms who lost his life (November 2004) fighting in Iraq. Brad and I went to school together since 5th grade, at the Covenant School in Charlottesville, VA, and worked together one summer in college at a restaurant. Although we were not best friends, he was a friend, and the loss of his life made an impact. I thought it appropriate to post this poem today, Memorial day... Thanks Brad...

His Walk

Young, he walked the line to Pomp and Circumstance

into the smokey future.

Opportunity knocked at his door, the wood cracked

Georgia called him south, the peach bruised

But his heart led him elsewhere

Into a land raped by war, torn by anger and hate.

Innocence, his eyes say only twenty years

of love, of hope, of family, of friends, of God.

I called him into a life of loneliness, of emptiness.

Aged, he walked the front line with the few, the proud

for me.

Vitality, his strength began mightily

but the smoke weakened his hold.

He wanted to go home.  His legs couldn't move.

My life, My future, My freedom formed chains around his ankles.

Three days.

He's home, he walks the silver-lined skies

Back into the love, the hope, the family, the friends, of God.

My chains fall from his ankles, he's free.

[nicole.m.wiegold]