15 months of hell
i spent abroad
fighting terrorist
and flying generals

685 combat hours
and chronic fatigue
this is my past
tis my shadow

i can't escape
the dreams of black bags
the fallen soldiers
i couldn't protect

2 hours of sleep
waken by the dusk
the dawning of a new day
and there i stand

in my shadow
i can't escape
the pain of loss
that i felt last night

in the darkness
i'm trapped inside
bound and gagged
by fragile torture

tis my shadow
tis my life
bearing the scars
of a broken man

tis my shadow
i can't escape
nor ever forget
the tragedies or war

in my shadow
full of despair
silent strength
to repent my sins

the rain falls gently into the summer night
embracing the gentle touch of cement
cascading gently upon the water
of what was left behind

the sounds that echo
within a broken heart
the trails and ttribulations
will only make you stonger

the wind caress the world
like a lover's open arms
protecting it from the
evil of this world

dreams lie shattered
across the world
like broken glass
left on the ground

let my voice be your disguise
that hides you away
to make it through
just one more day

he stands tall
he stands vigilant
on the front lines
so far from home

ready to jump on a grenade
ready to take a bullet
for his friends
for his family

you'll never see him cry
you'll never see the pain
that grips him in the thick of battle
the silence in the darkness

he carries on
with silent strength
the courage of a hero
he never knew he had

to stand in front of death
and never flinch
some call it stupid
some call it brave

he doesn't care
it is his duty
to protect what he loves
and if so give his life

The days are long and boring
with nothing to do
but fix broken aircraft
all day long while deployed

emotions run high
when a mission comes up
and adrenaline runs low
when its back to sitting down

there is a brotherhood
that is formed and bonded
like nothing else
and it tugs at me now

with the distance
between me and the wolfpack
that had been my home
that had been my family

while they dodge bullets
i dodge suicidal birds
the internet bridges the distance
but its not the same

as it is just being there
the jokes just aren't the same
and no one understands
the little things

that make us laugh
when someone
messes up a four-point seat belt
and we just laugh and stare
life just isn't the same

when the wolfpack is deployed
and I'm waiting to go

Waiting for the night to come
for when you will be mine
i have succumbed
to the beauty hidden in your eyes
everything i see is perfect
how do you do it
giving me a piece of heaven
don't you know it
you're perfect in my eyes

so i'll wait for the night
when you come to realize
that tomorrow is unbearable
without you here
everything about you is elegant
how do you do it
giving me a taste of perfection
don't you know it
you are my everything

i have succumbed
to the beauty deep inside
on one else see's
hidden within your gaze
making me forget the days
how do you do it
make me feel so helpless
don't you know it
i'll wait til the end of the world

Chamber a round
And head for the door
Gathered the gear
And left my fear

Today is just another day
The things I forgot to say
Last night
After the fight

I still can’t believe
I just couldn’t see
Before the explosion
As everything went dark

As the dust settles
And the area is cleared
The words come to me
That I didn’t say last night

I love you
I always will
Don’t forget me
Always and forever

Any of them I could say
Now I never get the chance
As the flag is lowered
Atop my bodybag

The nightmares of lifeless eyes
Staring back at me
Now laying beneath the sand
The remains of dead comrades

They haunt my dreams
Only now do I realize
Were the story ends
In this sand

Distant and devoid of emotion
Is this what I’ve become?
A man who can’t cry anymore
When death surrounds me

Beneath the sand where dreams die
Are bombs meant to destroy more.
And yet we continue on through the danger
Without question into the night

If only for our friends
To our left and right
Do we brave the danger
That lies beneath the sand

Beneath the sand were dreams end
Have I buried my sorrow and friends.
And beneath this sand
Lays a little piece of me