The Veteran’s Wonderful Return

I don’t know

What to think

Not anymore

My heart

Pounding

In my chest

Has become

Dangerously numb

Where did emotion go?

Flames of passion

Sparking out

Dying

Before my eyes

But all my soul does

Is sit and watch

Taking in the torture

Holding my breath

Till the last light

Flickers

And disappears

And now

I realize

I have failed

The universe cries

My battle lost

Wounded and injured

I try returning home

Admitting defeat

But sadly

The path is unclear

Vision blurred

Steps faltering

I cannot tell

The sky from sea

Nor sand from feet

I am weak

Blood runs

Never seeming to end

Where has

My commander gone?

I am lost

Slouching on the sand

Heaving air

Though my heart

It seems to fail me

The roughness

Against my cheek

Red streams

Stain the earth

The troops

Continue

In the distance

There they go

Leaving me here

Alone

The tides rise

Reaching for me

Anticipating

The taste

Of my soul

If the water

Only knew

How bitter it is

Back and forth

It comes and goes

The fingertips reach

Then retreat

Am I

Really

That scary?

Will those

Sweet waters

Ever touch me?

And float me

Away to paradise?

My eyes closed

The sun

Shines

But my heart

It remains dark

Lost in sin

Surrendering...

Oh, mighty warrior!

Look how far

You have fallen!

Alas

Life is cruel

Strips your innocence

Your prized possessions

And now

Where do you lie?

On the dunes of time

A lost little gem

Amongst a cove

Of dazzling pebbles

Wait!

All the way deep

In the corners

Of your heart

To the bottom

Of the sea

Look farther

Past the reef

What is that

I see?

Are my eyes

Deceiving me?

That sparkle

Radiating

A blinding star

In the midnight sky

Why

Dear child

That is, you!

Lost amongst blankets

Of deep dark secrets

Your spirit

It was hidden

By doubt and fear

Those terrible foes!

Invading you land!

But please

Brave soldier

Can’t you trust me?

I think its time

To regain

Your strength

Which you lost

To the dark

Let us bring

Your beautiful

Living

Breathing soul

Back to life

What do you say?

Time to move

Get up

Off the sand

That eats you

From the inside out

Though your body

Heaves with strain

Coughing blood

Do not worry

You will be okay

Here

Take my hand

My companion

Oh beloved

Lean on me

I will carry you home

For I have

Truly missed you so

Thank you

For returning

My beautiful star

Veteran

You have won

This war

Now

Let us go celebrate

Your wonderful return