Come Home Soon

Like pillars of stone,

they stand alone,

waiting to welcome their sailors home.

The sailors stand their post,

staring proudly back at the coast,

to the ones they love the most.

Sunglasses pulled over tears,

hiding their worst fears,

they watch their loved ones float away.

Their lovers kiss still burns on their lips,

and they watch the men on their ships,

waving farewell.

Their children cheer and wave,

until they're forced to cave,

and the ships dip below the horizon.

The women linger and wait,

in a hypnotic state,

praying for the strength to turn away.

Leading their children by the hand,

the mothers lead them onto dry land,

away from the planks of stone.

One by one they file out,

car after car they drive away,

off the base and homeward bound.

Tucked in tight after saying goodnight,

the children watch the last candle burn,

and dream of their fathers return.

All alone the wives lay,

and with lights out they pray,

for the day their husbands will come home to stay.