Just Like Me

Sometimes I like for my poems to tell a small story that occasionally has a twist at the ending. You never know where my poems might lead until you've read further: Just Like Me Monday morning was gloomy and cold A little like I 'd felt when I had been told That you’d be leaving. You had warned me that life would be like this You had said the military wouldn’t end our bliss The café was quiet and a static radio played Nondescript music was just a noise that was made Background for tears. But I knew I had to be brave and strong for you Yes, it was true, I knew what I was getting into. You’d left the recruiting office when I'd first met you It had started to rain and you pulled off a wet shoe Hobbling into the cafe I invited you over and we talked, I remember clearly Smiling at how excited you were about the military. Fluorescent lights were blinking a yellow-blue hue We were sitting quietly now at that same table for two Silence full of words. I looked at you and wanted to say what I was thinking. But distraction was made by the coffee cups clinking. We drank our coffee and I wondered what to say I couldn’t pretend that this was just another day. The words spilled: The house is way too quiet when you are gone Promise me this time you won’t be gone so long. You sighed deeply, pushed back your chair and stood I thought how that uniform always makes you look good. You grabbed the bill. I know that I'm lucky to have such a wonderful life Just as I know I’m lucky to have such a beautiful wife. I knew that we’d have to leave and say goodbye You paid the bill and I managed to hold my sigh The ride was too short. You said for me to take good care of our son But it was getting late and you’d have to run Kisses and hugs were over too way too quickly You waved goodbye and disappeared in a hurry. One more time. I sighed and drove off, remembering our embrace. I picked up our son early so I could see your face. We stopped at the store and picked up groceries And on our way home he counted all the trees. Every single one. We ate dinner and he said as we watched the TV Some day he hoped to be a great dad just like me.