My dad wears a uniform,
A badge and a gun.
He says goodbye to my mom
Who prays he’ll see tomorrow’s sun.

She’s gone to bed so many nights
Without him by her side.
The empty bed come morning
Makes her fear opening her eyes.

I was but seven years old
The first time I truly realized
The bad choices people make
Are the reason daddy’s friends have died.

I hate listening to the radio
And watching any news
For when disaster strikes
Policemen always lose.

They lose time with their husbands.
They lose time with their wives.
They lose time with their children.
They too often lose their lives.

Every choice you’ll ever make
Will impact someone’s day
Please don’t let tonight’s actions
Rip someone’s tomorrow away.

-ARI