Time...
In the dark of night
It stretches eternally,
The moments marked only
By the ticking of the old alarm clock
And the distant yips
Of coyotes on the prowl.
As I stare up at the heavily shadowed ceiling
Above our bed,
I wish I were there or, better,
That you were here,
So I could hold you
And warm you
With my own banked fires.
From outside I can hear
The winter wind rustling the last
Of autumn's dead leaves,
And through the open curtains
I can see the sleet
Beating against the glass panes.
Does it snow there in the distant desert highlands?
Are you safe and protected
From the Afghan elements?
Or are you on yet another patrol,
Protected only by your Kevlar
And the unit around you?
How I long to whisper
What my heart holds
So that you can hear
And be strengthened by
The power of my devotion;
But instead I will offer up my love
In a silent prayer,
Sending it soul to soul,
And trust the Good Lord
To set it down gently
In a place waking or asleep
Where your heart will find it
And draw me near.