A Woman's Grief

He tells me it’s his duty My chest caves in Tears wash over me I feel sick all over I do not leave his side for weeks Fear won’t let me loosen my grip He’s dressed and armed I can watch his excitement bubble The cries of women and children assaults me Soothing words of their men fall on deafened ears The buses roar a warning of departure His lips touch mine In his breath I taste his courage I feel his heart beat with dedication When our lips part all I taste is my defeat My eyes remain closed I can’t watch him walk away I don’t want to see his back The thunder of fifteen hundred men marching Is drowned by women grieving Our fear and pain comingles We cry out loud and inside ourselves Pleas to God, to saints and symbols All sound the same Please don’t let my man die!