THIS JOURNEY
Friends eternal we shall always be
It's founded in our fight together, for Liberty.
We met and shared so much in common,
Stood side by side to Honor Our Fallen;
Sharing together our laughter, our fear;
Never ashamed either, to share one last tear.
Together we fight for Peace and Freedom Worldwide,
So that future men and women never have to see this side;
To be sent to a land so far away
Never quite knowing about each new day.
Missing Family and Friends, birthdays, holidays and more,
Stuck in far off deserts without one damn store.
Having taken for granted the niceties of life,
Now truly seeing, experiencing suffering and strife;
Wondering every night and day, if I'll live to return and tell
The others back home of my experiences in Hell?
Can I open others eyes to just how good they've had it?
For this journey I've been on, I'll never forget about it.
Etched in our minds like the names on "The Wall"
Are the places, the people, the horror; it all.
It will never be forgotten by one soul who survives,
Who got sent on this journey, who returns home alive.
No longer whole, each one broken some how
Inside or out, it will always be there now.
In some ways afraid to return home again,
Knowing of the changes in us caused by the pain.
We won't ever return to be the same as before
We left to face this, this journey called war.
Will they understand not to question what we saw?
Only needed now are their love, support, happy smiles of awe.
We will leave this country, this duty behind;
But forever it will remain in our mind.
Let it stay there hidden, or so we pretend,
For when we come home we want it to end.
To have walked away, we'll leave it all there,
Never wanting to visit again will be our Prayer.
Please, when we come home help us leave it there?
Look at us, smile, let us know you still care.
Changed men and women, of course that we'll be;
But deep down inside, please, I'll still be me.
With time and adjustment I'll surface again;
Till then, will you wait and just be my friend?