Fallen Warrior

She sits beside the fire As failing embers dim. Lost smoke trails up the chimney . . Like dreams she’d shared with him. She sits and grieves for children That never will be born. Because his life was briefly lived, There’s darkness in each dawn. She thinks of how he looked that day When last they had embraced . . Young and handsome, unafraid, Of perils he would face. While she must stand there brave and strong- To meet each day with hope. She kept her outlook bright and clear, She’d done her best to cope. He’d left her for a war, you see . . So proud and full of fire. His country and his flag came first, “Stay free” his great desire. For on the day the towers fell, He vowed to God above . . To do his best to keep 'Her' safe, This country that he loved. Then in the fiery sun of May, In a land beyond this shore . . He laid him down and shed his blood; She'd see his face no more. Now time has passed since learning Of the sorrow she must bare. Grief still raw as at the first . . No lessening of despair. Her anger now replaced by voids Of empty time and thought. A life now full of nothingness; Is what his death has wrought. Summer’s past and then the fall, Now winter cold and sad. She sits beside the fire And remembers all they had. She can’t remember springtime And renewal of her life. Surely this must come one day With the lessening of her strife. She can’t remember laughter Or smiling from her heart. But God will refund gifts like this; In time He’ll do His part. It’s then she'll come to realize That her love is safe and well. He’s in a place far better Than the land in which he fell. Then she will grow to honor The love that sent him there. That day she’ll fall on bended knee And speak to God in prayer. Then life will once again become A wonder to be lived . . Touched by wisps of sadness When remembering his gift. Love and children will be hers, Then joy and laughter too. She will know that he looks down And smiles upon his view. For he is always with her Even though he’s not in sight. He’s in the heartbeat of our land, He’s in our country’s might. He’s in the vastness of the plains, In mountains capped with snow. He’s everywhere that freedom rings; He’s where 'The Brave Ones' go.