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Freedom's Prospect
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Ironhorse Writer
© 6/26/2002
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He sat alone in disbelief
"I'm gonna be a God"
The so called local 'Outlaw Club,'
Had given him the nod
Thought about how life would change
How he'd finally gain respect
With but one little word sewn on his vest,
Simply stating, Prospect
So deep within euphoria
Completely unaware
He failed to notice the silhouette
The figure standing there
The deafening thud atop the desk
The crack of the leather case
Jumped up, turned and gazed upon,
His grandfather's weathered face
"Have a seat, we need to talk
Between you and me
Before you go and jump the gun,
There's something you should see."
The old man sat across the desk
"I brought this down for you
I haven't opened this 'ol case,
Since 1952"
The binding fought to keep a hold,
of secrets within it's embrace
But leather too, grows frail with age
Thus, opened the case
Old photos unraveled a timely tale
Of but one American son
Who realized, returning from war
That his battle had just begun
"See the kid sitting on that scoot
Once I knew him well
He also sought to be a God
But all he found was hell"
The old man, through eyes that welled
Spoke in shallow breath
Of youth discarded, a wasted life
knowing the face of death
"He fought to keep his country free
And all that he held true
But lost himself along the way
That kid that I once knew"
"Back at home, things had changed
As did his frame of mind
A life once his, before he'd left
Had seemed like worlds behind"
"Those, once friends, who welcomed him
Dwindled to a few
Of those, like him, returning home,
Sought only a soldiers due"
"Grandpa, how does this tie in,
With what I choose to be?
These photographs, this kid you knew
Have nothing to do with me"
"Nothing, and everything
Decisions that we make
Are you prepared for what they'll ask?
Prepared for what they'll take?"
"I know somewhat of joining up
Of wanting to be free
That kid, I once knew well?
Well once, that kid was me"
"I was blind to who I was
For 'want' of some respect
I had it there, all along
As Freedom's Prospect."
"Keep the case and all it holds
It may just help you see
The 'want' of respect begins with one's self
The first true step of the free."
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