Call of Duty

Up before the alarm
Today's the day I leave
I look at my daughter
And start to grieve

She starts to stir
And I quickly stop
Holding her tightly
Used her gown as a mop

"I make daddy breakfast"
Her little voice croaked
"Come on then sweetheart"
I replied all choked

As we playfully task
I catch sight of my wife
A breath-taking beauty
Not deserving this life

She squeezes my arm
Puts her head in my chest
I tell her "It's 6 months -
Maybe 3 at best"

I see that she's broken
And I make sure I'm strong
I'm the man of the house
So to cry would be wrong

I puff out my chest
Deep breath time to go
Burying the hurt
So no one will know

My little girls cries
As I wave them goodbye
"It's for us and the country
I'm not going to die"

"Daddy's a Hero
So we must be proud"
My wife told our daughter
Now no fear allowed

The truth is I'm scared
And peppered with fear
The reality is horrific
And blinded with beer

I wind down the window
To say something funny
I'm doing it for love
Certainly not money!

I take off up the road
Shades hide my red eyes
Humours my saviour
For its my disguise

Looking back I saw them
As never before
This could be the last time
As I am going to war...


21/10/13