Deployment

Deployment We stand here in our small groups Talking nervously How I handle who I am Is now all up to me Our duffles are all neatly stacked I hear the muffled din While waiting for the sergeants call “All right troops, let’s fall in” My mind races with emotion As I kiss my wife goodbye I hug my daughter closely And tell her not to cry I put on my bravest face Although I know inside That as I turn to walk away A part of me has died I really want to look back But dare not turn my head I cannot dwell on what’s behind I must focus on what’s ahead We walk down the gangway Moving toward the gates Where soon we will all embark On the aircraft that awaits As we near other passengers One person slowly stands And I hear the sound of clapping From a single pair of hands And quickly, as if echoed The sound begins to grow Everyone applauding us As slowly past we go Hands reach out to touch us Catcalls can be heard We feel the power of their support The adrenalin from their words We are their sons and daughters Their husbands and their wives Who now must leave their comfort zone And jeopardize their lives I stand a little straighter New emotions now inside The fear and sadness I had felt Is now replaced with pride