Heaven Soldier Poem by Mariah Gregory

Heaven Soldier



I am a soldier, though fallen, I stand,
Soaring the sky, marching the land.
I watch over my family where danger awaits,
I've set up my post at the big golden gates.
Here with my comrades who have long since passed on
Out of the darkness, into new dawn.
Here with past enemies I have fought through the night,
Living in peace in a unreal light.
For the first time in a long time, I don't feel fear.
Though away from my family, no loneliness is near.
Finally at rest where my good father lives,
Here in the majesty his great presence gives.
As for my loved ones who still live below:
I do still love you, I need you to know.
I may be gone from the Earth, but not gone from mind.
I live in your memory, I have all this time.
Farewell my sweet loved ones, until we meet up once more,
I will still love you as I did before.

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
This poem is dedicated to the memory of Marine Lcpl Joseph 'Joe' Rodewald.10/19/88 - 10/13/10.

This poem came seemingly out of nowhere on the 13th of July,2010; the beginning line came into my head and everything sort of went on from there. Little did I know that this little poem of mine would mean worlds more just 3 months later.
In October of 2010 I got an email from my cousin asking if she could borrow this poem for one of her good friends who just lost his cousin, Joe, to war just a week before and I gave her my consent. The poem was read at Joe's service, and I am told it touched everyone.
The poem became something special to their family and, though I never met Joe, his family became something special to me. It was only a week after the service that I realized my poem had been written exactly 3 months before Joe passed away; and ever since then, the poem is known as Joe's, the 'Heaven Soldier.'

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Mariah Gregory

Mariah Gregory

Olympia, WA, USA
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