the sky ablaze with the rocket's red glare
as he set his eyes to the heavens
and held his hand to his heart
and felt pride, as he'd never felt before

his eyes watered as he saw his friends- his brothers
heads bowed, with the fireworks in the sky
behind them bringing the night to life

this was not America- this was not a theatre
but this was his life, or something resembling it


on this field, he saw his childhood- in a flash
he saw age 12 and playing baseball with his friends
he saw age 15 and his first date
he saw age 18 and his enlistment
he saw age 21, only it was now a glimmer
of what never will be

he saw his family, for this was the last time
and he prayed that he'd see them again
one day


and with the bombs bursting in air
a young boy became a man became a soldier
became a historical statistic

this is not America- this is not a theatre
but this was his life



and now it's gone