Boots

[qwietpleez]

Dust from another world
soles worn from wear
the color of sand
wrinkled and creased

A thousand miles marched
walked in, slept in, fought in

On the floor by the bedside
they lay, weary from war
Dark stains from fallen
droplets of sweat
or maybe tears

Not the color of blood
my heart beats faster
at the thought of it

Perhaps the color of fear
loneliness maybe

Worn with pride
ready again for service
but now they rest
beside the bed where
the soldier sleeps

Safe, loved
home with me

When tomorrow comes
a little boy
will wear the boots
clumsily making his
way around the house

He doesn't know
where those
boots have been
he just knows
they are his daddy's
and he is home
again . . .

[SinaiJ]

This is wonderful. It made me tear up.