War

I held her head against mine,

Our foreheads touching, staring in her eyes

As my hand lay in her neck, keeping her close

Swallowing back tears, trying to look confident.

I told her not to worry, that I would come back, I promised,

To come and safe her from all that there's to come,

Told her that I loved her, would always be by her side

And I kissed her, one last time.

The whistle blew, telling me I had to go,

Both trying not to cry, but instead smile

Pretending that all is going to be alright,

Whilst we both know that that is a perfect lie.

I returned to my seat, bags at my feet,

The woman next to me smiled warmly 

I smiled back, turned my head towards the window

Tears streaming down my face.

My heart opened itself and emotion came pouring out,

Shattered into a thousand pieces, I tried to forget her,

Forget her touch, warmth, embrace, kiss,

But she was burnt into my heart.

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months 

And every moment she was in my thoughts,

The battle would continue, wars raged on as I fell, 

landed on grass, the white light came to get me, I was dead.

I thought heaven would be different, maybe because I'm no woman of god

I ended in a painful hell of waking and sleeping, as I heard their whispers,

And I screamed out her name, I promised I'd come back,

The pain in my heart grew bigger as I continued in my silent death.

I was awake longer and whispers turned into voices

I could hear them walk, and I realised that I wasn't in hell nor heaven,

As on one day my hearing fully returned and heard

The sound of her voice echoing through my head.

I was ready to open my eyes, and so I did,

It was hard adjusting to the light, brightly shining

I moved my hands, stiff from their long rest

Felt the warmth and weight of another hand holding me

And there she was, tears of happiness streaming down our faces,

I apologised for not keeping my promise, worried she wouldn't forgive me,

But instead she leaned over, cupped my chin

And kissed me.