The Promotion

In the Heavenly ranks
up in the sky,
You went from private first class
to angel.

You didn't need to study,
or take a final test-
your reward was Heaven
for being your very best.

and while God's gain
is my loss,
I cannot hold your soul.
But oh, my son, I miss you
more than you'll ever know.
-Sandra VanOrman
(poem from the Persian Gulf War)