“The Compass That Led Me Home”

Men go to war
for all sorts of reasons —
duty, pride,
orders,
habit.

But they come home
for one.

Her.
Him.
Family.

The thought of their laugh,
their voice,
their hand in mine —
that was the compass
that pointed me back
every time.

When the nights were long
and the cold cut deep,
I’d picture them waiting,
lights on,
kettle ready,
like the world hadn’t changed
while I was away.

And maybe it hadn’t.
Maybe they kept it steady
so I’d have something
worth returning to.

That’s why I came back.

Every time.
Every mile.
Every ****** step.

To stand silently,
smiling in my home.