A Marine Wife's summation of her inner turmoil. |
Silver-rimmed cap Shone in the sun Polished black boots And holding a gun Back straight as a rod Unwavering gaze Tears shone, almost spilling Ending boot camp days The young man stood Saluting and proud In a line of soldiers In front of a crowd I remember that noon Quite as well as the rest When I watched him march off Among the best My Marine, my pride Endured the worst Insulted and pushed Berated and cursed He came home a man A warrior and more Then my Marine He was called off to war “Semper Fidelis” That’s what they say “Always Faithful” And faithful he stayed The day I said goodbye An emotional scene But there would be another time I would see my Marine The calls came The letters went I can’t recount The hours I spent The nights in turmoil The worrying days Dreading the knock The unwavering gaze The eyes that would tell me He wouldn’t have to talk I’d know just as soon As he came up the walk Nevertheless A letter came home And that afternoon While the sun shone Beating down on the people And lawns trimmed clean Passed children playing ball Scattered leaves no longer green The car came up the street Two Marines inside Turned right on Maple And into my drive I didn’t hear them As they came up the walk With eyes that would tell me With no need to talk Oh, my Marine Yes he came home In a beautiful coffin With a flag of his own And as I stand here His medals in hand It doesn’t take too much To understand “Semper Fidelis” There’s pride in that phrase “Always Faithful” To the end of his days |