They’re bringing home her son today.
Two years of worry
and some sleepless nights.
Her son is coming home.

He joined up right out of school
said it was his duty.
She felt guilty
for not wanting him to go.

Maybe he was thinking of her
when he stepped on the device
left planted in the sand.
Thinking of her, and home.

The letter he wrote
but hadn’t mailed yet
will accompany him home
along with his things.

It reads “I love you mom
and I miss you.
I should be home soon.”
They’re bringing home her son today.

Recently, my wife’s cousin was injured by a bomb blast in Afganistan. He will recover but four of his fellow Army Rangers died. This poem is dedicated to their mothers.