Only Yesterday

Only yesterday, a little baby boy was born.
His mother was ecstatic.
His father was proud.

Only yesterday, his mother disappeared.
She packed her bags and left the house,
And she left his father in tears.
He was only three, he didn't quite understand.
But still he hugged his father and whispered,
"I love you daddy."

Only yesterday that little boy grew up.
He stood on the stage in his high school,
A diploma clutched tightly in his hands.
He was shaking and he was frightened,
But still he smiled,
And watched his father crying in the crowd.


Only yesterday he made a pledge,
To protect the freedom of people
He didn't even know.
He took a vow to fight for his country,
And his friends.

Only yesterday he was in battle.
He was scared, but wouldn't let it show.
His first and foremost goal was to keep
Everyone else alive,
Even at the cost of his life.

Only yesterday he watched his friends fall,
And cried when there was nothing else
Anyone could do.

Only yesterday he came home,
Carried in a coffin,
Draped with the flag of his country,

Only yesterday a little boy stood above his grave,
A single daisy clutched in his tiny hand.
He didn't know the man, but knew he fought
For this country, his family,
And millions of others too.

Only yesterday, that little boy placed
The flower on the grave.
And whispered softly,
"Thank you, mister, for all you've
done."