Loving a Soldier
Loving a soldier is often not fun
Since, much of the time, he must follow the gun.
It often is loving with no-one to hold
And feeling, in Summer, a Winter of cold.
It’s sending long letters with queer, crooked stamps
To an elsewhere love in his far away camps.
It’s almost like being in love with a dream,
Thinking of past joys and what might have been.
Loving a soldier brings sadness and tears
Behind smiling faces which hide constant fears.
It’s making farewells when you want him to stay
But knowing that still he must go on his way.
It’s waiting and worrying, hoping he’s well.
It’s jumping each time you hear the doorbell.
But when he has written relief brings its joys;
You play with his letters as children with toys.
Loving a soldier is something unique,
Fit only for heroines, however weak;
It’s human experience known to the full
With moments of gladness mixed with much dull.
It’s raising his children without any aid;
Explaining his travels so they’re not afraid.
It’s coping with problems the best way you can
Without the advice of your own chosen man.
Loving a soldier is kneeling to pray
And meaning, sincerely, each word that you say
In faith and concern for his safety at work
In dangerous duties which he may not shirk.
Loving a soldier is loving on trust,
But worth all the doubts when each absence is past
And he’s there beside you, at home once again,
To love you and help bear your burdens and pain.
It’s knowing that he feels the same way as you,
But being a soldier is what he must do
And, though his hard calling may take him away,
is heart will return him as soon as it may.
It’s waiting for days when his message will come
To say to you, simply; “I’m on my way home!”.
And, when he arrives, it’s laughing together
Heedless of people, time or the weather.
Loving a soldier is hard to endure,
Especially when there is trouble or war.
But it has its rewards, beyond all words of praise,
When your soldier is with you to spend a few days.
Loving a soldier is often not fun
Since, much of the time, he must follow the gun;
But it has its rewards, more intense than but few,
When his duties allow him to spend time with you.
