In the quiet of the night, she embraces Johnny,
With tears in her eyes, she speaks of life's turbulent journey,
Johnny's mind was made up, but she was not giving up just yet,
His dream to reality, already a cadet,
Mama begged Johnny "please don't go down town"
She cried and said, "there are too many recruiters around".

It was morning and Johnny was ready,
Mama became sad, he was recruited already,
With a heart so brave, he marched off to fight,
Leaving behind the love, in Mama's tearful sight,
Of a boy with dreams, who to war bid adieu,
Mama gave Johnny a hug, a love so true.

Of shrieking jets and of marching boots,
All Johnny knew was to hide and shoot,
Through harsh battles, and nights so dark,
He was famished, in a land so stark,
But then came the grasp of war, it took its toll,
And then there were scars unseen, deep in his soul.

Mama's prayers compassed far, to keep her boy safe,
In the turbulence of the war's relentless chase,
Yest destiny has it's chance, on that fateful day,
When Johnny returned, but was in a casket's sway
Dear Johnny returned, his fate buried in war,
Surely, this was what he always lived for.

In the comfort of his casket, draped in the flag he once placed on his chest,
Evidence of what might have happened to the rest,
Mama wept for her boy, gone too soon,
With his pictures, memories under the solace of the moon,
With this emblem of sacrifice, Johnny lays in the grave,
A young boy, with a heart so brave.

© Isaac Jimoh Samuel