A warrior was laid to rest today,
Amongst a sea of brown and blue.
He died doing the only thing that mattered to him.
Protecting me and you.

Taken too early from a grieving wife and family,
By a bullet meant for another.
He knew the risks that he took every day
He and every one of his brothers.

In a room filled with grief and despair
From men hardened by years in this war.
Tears fall unchecked from almost every eye
As they gather from near and afar.

Each man and women who wears the uniform
Knows it could be him or her.
It is a risk they willingly bear again and again
Every time they walk out of the door.

The final call is sent out over the air
As mournful pipes echo the pain.
His fellow officers stand in pride and honor
For the warrior who will ne’r fight again.

Hollow pain-filled eyes stare into mine
Surrounded by wrinkles and bags
I want to look away from this face
Such suffering too private a thing to share

I keep looking back, curiosity drives me
What kind of life lived does that to another?
A rattled cough breathed out in distress
The exchange almost too much to bare.

I look at her hands and see red, work worn skin.
My own are pampered and smooth.
Fingers knotted with arthritic misery
The cold will be hard for her.

I meet her eyes once again and see
She watches me as I watch her.
What must she make of this pampered woman
Whose eyes sweep over her in questions?

Shame and sympathy sweep over me
But only for just a second.
I shake back my newly styled hair and leave.
So thankful that I am not her.

Cold November winds blow
Sending icicle daggers through my coat.
Gray skies trying hard to snow
To blanket this barren land.

Stark naked trees reach beseechingly to the sky
Begging for their wintery coat of white.
Dried leaves dance mischievously through the streets,
Freed from their prison of branches.

Bundled up munchkins still play outdoors
Sent outside by frazzled moms.
Squeals of laughter drift into my thoughts
And are reminiscent of times long since past.

Sledding and ice skates, tubing and hats,
Hot chocolate, mittens and scarves.
November may be a month of gray,
But it ushers in winters wonders and fun.

Soon a blanket of white will cover the trees
The leaves will no longer dance
The wonderland transformed into a playground of white
As winter takes over the land.

It starts with just a glance,
A look of love to start romance.
I see the fire in your eyes
That starts the slow burn of my own desire.
A wicked smile sent for you to sense
The wickedness of my intent.
The art of flirting is not lost
The smile, the moves, the eyes, the hair toss.
All signals to my mate, my love,
It’s time to take this dance above.
My movements slow to a sensuous pace,
My heart, however, the tempo, a faster race.
I taste your lips, your eyes, your ears,
Your touch like a brand on my skin, it sears,
A path of tingling as you mold my breast
Into your hand, pulling me closer to your chest.
Loving the feeling of your skin on mine
The way you drive me crazy and take your time
Moving slowly over my body with your kiss
Closer and closer to that heavenly bliss
I touch you where ever I can
But you have driven me mad with desire and
The me that was is no longer here
Just a bundle of sensations and feelings linger near
Until the explosion releases my mind
And I return to us and to you and I find
The love shining out of your eyes into mine.
Mmmm, now tis your turn, my love.
I give as good as I got from above.
And when I sense you can take no more,
I take you inside me and feel you at my core.
Slow, gentle movements change to a frantic pace
I watch the changes wash over your face
As you reach the final bliss of your own.
I laugh at the look on your face as you collapse
After all these years, I’m pleased cause I can still make you do that.
You know what I mean, make that funny *** face
Then we both fall asleep, me securely wrapped in your embrace.

You take my heart, the one in your hands
The one you promised to hold and protect
And throw it on the ground.

Why is that one promise so easy for you to break?
So easy for you to unmake?
So easy to unbound?

You know it is as fragile as fine china
Because just like china once shattered
The strength once had is no longer found.

With an unkind word or just a glance
You shatter my calm so easy.
Makes me wish you weren’t around.

I’ll gather up the broken pieces and try to put it back together
Again.
Make it whole, make it sound.

Place it back into your hands
For you to love and protect
Until the next go round.

But one of these days
I’m not gonna find all the pieces.
Will that be the day my promise to you is unwound?