My Hero

From the time I was a young child,
I looked at the face of my dad.

Hidden under the shade of his
ACU’s hat, his face void of emotion.

“Don’t go, Daddy!”
I want to wail on him, but I watch him go.

His camouflaged form fading from view.
I want to cry and sob, and curl into a ball.

“Why must he leave?” I wanted to ask.
But I know that you have a duty,
that you must perform,
to be called away from me, Mommy, and my brothers.

Two weeks, a Month, A year- days drag by slowly,
hours crawl by, and minutes barely pass.
This is repeated till the day you can come home.

Why must our family, be separated day after day,
month after month, because of a single job?

But Dad, you are my hero, even ignoring the fact,
you were gone most of the time.
You are and forever will be my hero.

I love you, Daddy.