a woman sat nearby, all dressed in black –
she look so lonely.

Some awaited the arrival of a loved one –
others bid farewell to a future yet undone;

my sergeant, a godly man –

  wanted the best homecoming for me:
he sent a letter to my mom and local paper –
for all to see;

the letter noted my accomplishments –
and his own thought,

that all I ever wanted –
was peace and love taught.

A young boy watched as the attendants prepared the plane:
he noticed a strange package being
     loaded on-board,
an elderly man eased the boy’s bewilderment,    

           and said, ”that’s a coffin, young man.”        

A sunny day had been forecast –
flags all over town hung at half-mast;

mom was there, a blank look on her face –
a tear and her mascara left its trace;

sis, she’s in a state of shock –
fore she knows her lil’ bro
will never again rock.

A tear rose in the boy’s eye –
he knew not why;

as he watched, he heard a voice –
it was I, as I said,
”good-bye, I am going home.”

as the boy looked out –
he saw my smile reflected
in the window pain,