After the March

"After the March" Almost eight years, the flags have flown, A soldier's wife, yet so alone. Eight years of heartache, silent cries, Of wiping tears and telling lies Like "I'm okay," when I was breaking, Like "We’re fine," though barely making. Stress clung tight like second skin, While I held the outside in. Weight I carried on my soul, Filling both the mom and dad role. Three kids needing all of me, While half our life was overseas. No one sees the silent war That rages behind the family door. They thank the soldier (as they should), But miss the ones who also stood The ones who waited, wept, and prayed, Who patched the holes that duty made. A single mom in all but name, Each absence felt, yet played the game. School runs, scraped knees, lonely nights, Calendar marked by long goodbyes. But now the countdown’s nearly done Six months 'til battles all are none. Six months ‘til hand in hand we stand, No longer half, but full again. After twenty years, he lays it down, The uniform, the soldier’s crown. No more missed birthdays, no more calls, No more waiting for him to walk through walls. We get a life not split in two One that's whole, and rich, and true. We'll find the joy that time denied, With peace at last, our hearts untried. For all the nights I cried alone, For all the strength I had to own, For every child who learned too young What sacrifice was truly sung This chapter ends, and we begin A life together, soul and skin.