"A Good Kid With Hope"

He minded his manners and did what was told
A good kid with hope, to never grow old
All through the day and into the night
Living and learning with all of his might
He excelled in all things and many were proud
Grace falling on him like rain from a cloud
So he goes and stands tall, while giving his oath
A new sense of purpose, a new sense of growth
Wise ones amongst him gave it great pause
They knew the terror, the damage it caused
The vigor of youth winning the day
Good women kneeling, kneeling to pray
Many days past and a decade or two
Looking back now, those good ladies knew
A good kid with hope, to ever grow old
Now walked through darkness and dipped in the cold
War fighters kill by the means of their trade
A business of killing to live and get paid
Oh what a monster awoke in that kid
Oh at the things, the things that he did
So far away from the way he was raised
So far away from the ladies he praised
What mercy by God a new chance in life
A good kid with hope through the struggle and strife