.

He Lied About His Age

‘Twas May of nineteen seventeen, our country now at war.
Will had decided to enlist, this great world to explore.
His lifetime numbered sixteen years, he’d lie about his age,
His build appeared near twenty, their questions he’d assuage.

He fed and milked the family’s cows, in all they numbered three,
Then fifteen miles, he would traverse, determined as could be.
Arriving at the county seat, he pledged, then signed his name.
Night chores complete, Will shared his news “I’m in,” the boy exclaimed.

With one last day of morning chores, Will rose before the sun.
Over the hills, he ventured forth, to catch the train at one.
Camp Edwards gave him basic training, machine gun company;
The newborn Twenty-Sixth Division was in its infancy.

From Saint-Mihiel to Meuse-Argonne, Will saw vast blood and gore,
He fought until the armistice, concluded the Great War.
Back home in May, nineteen-nineteen, Will’s wanderlust was cured;
He realized at just eighteen, a lifetime he’d endured.

“The Army’s canned corn beef,” Will noted, “for humans was unfit.”
He never ate canned meat again, but their coffee was a hit.

.

Poet’s Note: Will Carroll (1899-1985) went from a very humble life as a child,
and underage service in the First World War to become a very
successful businessman and highly respected member of the community.
He was a good friend of my father, and they would have coffee together
several mornings a week after they were retired. Will’s family drank
tea.  He never had coffee until he was in the army, and after
returning home he was never found without a cup close at hand.  He
rarely used rough language, but mentioning army rations would bring
out every bad word he could think of.

.

.

Joyce E. Rogers is a poet living in Texas.

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9 Responses

  1. Allegra Silberstein

    This wonderful poem tells a great story with insight on life…thank you.

    Reply
  2. Roy Eugene Peterson

    I was one of those who never drank coffee until I was in the Army. I loved this marvelous story about an underaged soldier, and you told it so well. It reminded me of the movie about Sergeant York.

    Reply
  3. Margaret Coats

    Military experience (wartime or not) defines a boundary region of life for many. Your poem, with few but important details, shows how that works, Joyce. Good selection of what to tell.

    Reply
  4. Paul Freeman

    Your poem’s wonderful, Joyce, as is the author’s note.

    Thanks for the read.

    Reply
  5. Joseph S. Salemi

    The 26th Division was an all-New England unit. Its men and officers were all from the New England states. For this reason its nickname was “the Yankee Division, with a Y and D monogram as its unit patch.

    Reply
  6. Gigi Ryan

    Dear Joyce,

    The story of young Will stands in stark contrast to the story Jeffrey Essman’s recently told about modern teens addicted to their phones in his poem “The Dead.” Will was a hardworking youth with a heart to serve his country. He went on to be a successful and admired adult. Thank you for this inspiring poem. Would that the subjects of “The Dead,” would come alive and take heed!

    Gigi

    Reply
  7. Joyce E. Rogers

    Thank you all, for the kind comments. I am honored that this poem was
    chosen. Joyce E. Rogers

    Reply
  8. Shamik Banerjee

    War indeed changes a person, and this impactful story, well-set in the iambic heptameter, describes it beautifully. Glory to those who willingly go to the frontlines so we can have peaceful nights and days. Thank you for this precious poem, Joyce.

    Reply

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