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when you look at him
When you look at him you might only see another soldier in uniform, wearing a dog tag,
But I see one of the best friends I ever had.
You might look at him and know he is brave,
But I look at him and I know he blames himself for the ones he could not save.
You might see him and think he has not been changed by the war,
But I remember who he was before.
You may think he is cocky and has to much pride,
But I know it is a front to hide the tears he cries.
When you look at him you may think he has made it home, life is back to normal everything is great,
But I look at him and know the price he paid.
When you look at him you might believe he is happy,
But I see the broken shell of who he used to be.
When you look at him you may not see the PTSD,
But when I look at him it is something I can't help but see.
When you look at him you might not know some days it's all he can do not to fall apart,
But when I look at him I see my own broken heart.
When you look at him you might not see,
That he has nightmares so he dreads falling asleep.
When you see him you probably don't see his pain,
But I can promise you it is there just the same.
When I see him I don't see just another soldier,
I see someone's friend, coworker, husband, son, grandson, father, and brother.
When I look at a soldier, I see it, and I hope you see it too,
Someone who gave up thier time, life, peace of mind, and who they used to be,
To fight for this country, to fight for me and you.
© Wanda Faith Danielle Eitzmann
