Children's Poem: "Daddy's Boots"

Will James' Dad

As many of you know, my son-in-law is a Marine Force Recon sniper. He has nearly seventeen years in now and will be leaving soon for yet another deployment, somewhere.

I wrote this poem for his oldest son, Will James, when he was about seven, because he had such a difficult time whenever his dad was away.

Will James is now sixteen, but he still has the poem in a frame on his dresser.

It doesn't matter where the conflict is, or when. War is war and it's difficult for everyone, but it's always hardest on the children ... 

Daddy's Boots

by CJ Heck

Daddy left his boots for me 

and here I have to stay. 

My daddy is a soldier. 

I’m in charge while he’s away. 

In Daddy’s boots, I can pretend 

that now I am the man 

who does the things that Daddy does 

as only Daddy can. 

I help with little brother, 

I help with folding clothes, 

I help to take the trash out, 

and I hope Daddy knows 

that every day I wear his boots 

so I’ll feel close to him

and I try to keep Mom happy, 

till he comes home again. 

I know that he’s protecting us, 

that’s what soldiers do, 

but his boots are way too big for me 

and my job, being him, is too. 

I wonder when he's coming home. 

I miss him ALL the time. 

Mom said Dad is proud of me 

and his boots fit me ... just fine.

[from the book, "Barking Spiders 2", by CJ Heck]

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“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do, and by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale


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