Sacrifice Left Empty Arms

The night rattles with dry leaves,
I hear summer gasp its final breath
and wonder how the days slipped
through my fingers while I was
clutching at straw hopes you would return.

War took you from me with its command
to march into hell where angels lay
broken upon soil polluted by greed.

Your sacrifice left my arms empty.
I know you did what you felt was right,
but I wonder how much truth
you were told by a government
well versed in lies.

I have no child with your smile,
or blue eyes shining with mischief.
Freedom’s price has chopped
limbs from our family tree.

Every night I petition the universe
to let me hear your voice fall from the stars
to tell me I am safer with you gone.



©Susie Clevenger 2013




I wrote this in response to my fear the United States is on the verge of military action in Syria.

Comments

br!nDle said…
extremely touching...beautifully expressed...Loved it...:)
Maude Lynn said…
I share your fear, Susie. This is a beautiful, moving write.
Preeti S. said…
The words themselves are so emotionally charged but your voice gives them a new, raw life.

I wish our world could know as much peace as the number of wars that have raged on every decade and century. It is just a waste of innocent lives playing pawn at the hands of a "well-versed" government.