Poem: HILLS OF HOME, by BJ Terrill

[Bettyj2025]

HILLS OF HOME

By BJ Terrill

FAR AWAY PLACES
IN ALIEN TERRAIN
MANY STRANGE FACES
CALLED OUT MY NAME -
PUT ME THROUGH PACES –
IN A WARRIOR’S GAME

TOOK ME OVER THE OCEAN
FAR FROM MY LAND
CHALLENGED MY DEVOTION
TO MAKE A LAST STAND

PRESSED MY EMOTION
FOR FAMILY AND HOME
ACROSS THE OCEAN
IN HILLS OF LOAM

TO DO BATTLE AND FIGHT
ON AN ALIEN SHORE
FOR FREEDOM AND RIGHT –
MY COUNTRY - AND MORE!

WITH ALL MY MIGHT
I STOOD MY GROUND
THROUGH MANY A NIGHT
AND ROCKET SOUND

PAST MORTAR FIRE,
AND BOMB’S VIBRATION
FOXHOLES AND MIRE
WITH NO CESSATION

THE DEADLY GAME
OF BATTLE AND WAR
WROTE MY NAME
ON DEATH’S CRUEL DOOR

PRAYING TO GOD ABOVE,
I ASKED IF I COULD SEE
THE LAND I LOVE - -
THAT IT WAS STILL FREE.

I BATTLED AND FOUGHT
AVOIDING DEATH’S KNELL
I DIDN’T GET CAUGHT,
BUT MANY MEN FELL.

LUCKY FOR ME
GOD WAS ON MY SIDE
I CAME BACK TO SEE
MY COUNTRY’S GREAT PRIDE -

BLUFFS OF LIME
HOLLOWS AND CREEKS
RIVERS OF TIME
AND MOUNTAIN PEAKS -

THE LAND OF THE FREE!
WE PAID THE PRICE,
MY BUDDIES AND ME,
WE ROLLED THE DICE -

AND LEFT SOME THERE!
BUT WE REMEMBER,
IN EVERY NIGHT-MARE
AND EACH NOVEMBER -

WE GIVE OUR THANKS
FOR THOSE WHO WAIT
TO REJOIN OUR RANKS
AT HEAVEN’S GATE!

AS I LAY IN MY LAST SLEEP
I THANK THE LORD ABOVE
FOR TAKING MY SOUL TO KEEP
IN THE MAGNIFICENT LAND I LOVE

FOREVER MY SPIRIT TO ROAM
IN THE GREEN - GREEN HILLS OF HOME

In memory of kinsmen:
Estil Terrill, WWII – Bronze Star
Glen Terrill, WWII
Dale Terrill, Korean Conflict
Billy Duncan, Viet Nam War
Charles Green, Viet Nam War
Gaylan Terrill, Viet Nam War
Willard Dale Terrill, Viet Nam War
AND
Write in your heroes..

_____________________________________________________________________________________

[Elphie]

To my opinion, this is a sincere and simple poetry from a soldier. A type of a proud elegy filled with many rhymes and patriotism.