Rest

Posted by Brad Osborne on May 30, 2021 · 16 Comments 

---

---

~~~

I had seen death before

The pale faces of loved ones

Quiet and still

Placed in the silk lined box

As if they slumbered

Devoid of their suffering

Now Resting in Peace

~~~

 

But this was different

There would be no scripture read

No fine words to send you off

And in my arms, I saw

Death’s true face

Filled with the pain and fear

As your end drew near

~~~

 

I told you everything would be okay

And we both knew that was untrue

For the wounds received that day

Would end this life for you

But I held on with all I had

As if wishing could change that

Oh, if wishing only could

~~~

 

We had shared a blood oath

To keep each other from harm

But I had always hoped

It would be me saving you

And now, with tables turned

I wanted to recant that vow

Feeling unworthy of the cost

~~~

 

Rest, my brave brother-in-arms

Nothing can touch you now

And if I survive the day

It will be because of you

I guess heaven needed a Marine

And I hope they know

They got one of the best

 

Rest now, brother, rest

~~~

---

---

 

Filed under Poetry · Tagged with battle, brother, burial, death, funeral, life, loss, Marines, peace, poem, Poetry, promise, rest, vow, war