The job is done
And it has been done well
The soldier is now home
But he lives in hell

He lives with pain
Pain without end
He begs for relief
But the pain does not bend

He marches on
His head is lowered
Through brutal times
He continues forward

A son he has lost
Through tragic circumstance
He visits him often
In memory and chance

He feels guilt and shame
And a pain he cannot abide
But this was not his doing
And his son walks by his side

The pain without end
Leaves him crippled and weak
He pleads for release
And forgiveness he seeks

The soldier stayed at his post
He has held it for so long
He is tired now
And struggles to stay strong

The soldier searches
And he prays
For the secret to life
For the reason to stay

He calls for the answer
He is so weary
His body is broken
And to die seems easy

A wife now fights
She fights for her land
And she fights for her husband
She is making her stand

The soldier marches onward
His country has been served
But he holds his post for family
And life must be preserved

March on brave soldier
For the path is in front of you
Fight on dear soldier
The secret is those closest to you

A mother weeps today
She weeps for a child lost
Lost on this earth
Lost in his body

A mother weeps tonight
She weeps for she is alone
Alone with her thoughts
Alone with her demons

A mother will weep tomorrow
She will weep for change
Change that pledges escape
Change that does not come

A mother weeps
She weeps
Weeps
Weeps

Solitary silence he seeks
Away from the celebration of him

Kerfuffle and commotion
He does not covet

He retreats to the tree’s shady veil  
Respite and relief silently welcomed

Detached and almost concealed
The wooden pony his dependable friend

Dappled light playfully dancing
Seclusion does not disappoint

Sanctuary, Shelter
Stay safe, oh beautiful child

In her arms he gently rests
Swathed, secure and snug

Eyes, firmly closed
And mouth, rose-pink, puckered

A hand, so small and plump
The plastic bracelet – a greeting to new life

Proudly, she embraces him
Uncertainty etched on her face

Young, yet mature
Scared, but ready to begin

He sits beside them both
On the edge, almost afloat

With protective arms
He envelops them