Christina A. Sharik

WHILE YOU ARE AWAY

I’ll sleep gentle
I’ll sleep easy
when I know
that you are safe
and warm –
Home again
and free from harm.

I keep thinking
I can keep you safe
I keep hoping
there are angels keeping
you beneath their wings
while you’re sleeping
much like I carried
you beneath my heart.

Here’s my prayer,
my soldier child:

While we’re so far apart,
while you sleep in places wild,
I pray God will help me keep watch

as you work to make men free.

Just a simple prayer
I’ve asked Jesus, with his
mercy mild
to bring you home to me.