It is not just the soldier who goes to war
To
boldly face the lost and lonely nights,
Wondering
what the next event might stir
In
a world where reality forestalls his precious light.
Father,
mother, sister, brother, precious child
Cherished
lover all in one, all in tow
He
muddles through the fallow furrowed trenches
Of
his mind enrobed in murky hues of faded indigo.
And
he and she and they who are forced to wait
In
silent proxy know his peerless pain,
Cry
his tears, feel the deepest fears that fills his night,
That
end is near and he will never see his home again.
A
mother weeps, a father keeps a stoic front
That
fools no one – fools no one – no, not one.
Tear-stained
letters from a patient lover far away
Whose
tender heart’s emotions are undone.
They
will be with him every step of his travail
As
duty compels and he silently walks his keep.
And
faith never falters, and hope knows no holiday
For
those who wait…
Those
who wait… and weep.