PRISONER OF WAR

Missing in Action, Prisoner of War
These kinds of words, hard to ignore.
Told by advisors that it's you and not me
Shaking their heads; they just don't see.

When you go missing - or underground;
Bury what's hurting under the ground,
Part of me feels it - phantom the pain;
No need to tell me it's not the same.

Never saw action - never saw war,
Never had soldiers break down my door.
And I can muster a smile, which is fake,
Scared what I say might be a mistake.

Think to myself - he will not see me cry.
And as you talk - all my words seem to fly.

I see the look that haunts you inside
Certain confusions that still haven't died
Transfusion of love - illusions and lies!

When you explain it - at least now you try;
Give me a story; tell me a why

I see the look - it's hollow and pure.
I don't have words and I don't have a cure.
I wish I did have an answer for you.
I wish to God I had been there for you

All of your demons, they line up like ducks
Sometimes I watch - as you run out of luck
Rows and rows, I watch how they sit
Know in my heart that they never will quit

Try to convince you - this feeling won't last
Listen as you tell of how the die was cast

I know a lot that you did was your choice
I see how long you have buried your voice
Now you are talking - the silence is done
Losses seem larger then what you have won

Still in my eyes - you're a hero and more
Did what you had to without keeping score
There for your brothers - and country too
I wish to God this was something I knew

Earlier on - when we just had met
You say it's something you'd rather forget
And so you hid it - well now it's come back
Some times it calls you; a strange late-night snack

Some times, it appears in the late afternoon
Never know when, and it changes its tune
Stories emerge - some of them mortify
And like I said - you don't have to say why

I see that look - as you pack up and leave
I see that look and I know I should grieve
For the all the parts that they've stolen from me
They harbor you and so neither one of us are free

You're still a prisoner of what went before
Part of you captured - though you came back from war.
Don't get me wrong - I am grateful you're here
My only thought - is to try and stay near

Bring you some comfort - help you forget?
No - If you remember and choose to connect
That is your choice and it's one I respect
Good and the bad - all your blues eye reflect
If it's your choice - I'll help find your voice
And listen to all that you say - help us find a way!

I will absorb all I can like a sponge,
Stomp out those demons with a stab or a lunge
Slap at the horror that flies through the air
It might make you laugh - and get rid of that stare

Vacant and haunting spirits that hover above and about
I'm not a soldier - but figure it out
I just a woman in love with a man
I guess my mission - to do what I can

I see the look as I pack up and leave
It doesn't end - you may try to deceive
Hide from the torture - hide from the pain
There isn't one thing you have to explain

Unless you want to - that is the deal
Because I love you - this will be real
All that has happened; it wasn't planned
All that I want - as I hold out my hand

Is to bring comfort and love to your door
Let me inside - and I promise there's more
Prisoner of war -missing in action- only describes
How I feel in a fraction

Missing in Action - Look what I've found
And so if you let me - I'm sticking around
You are the reason I'm breathing today
I guess I'm a prisoner who can't run away

You have your stories and I have mine
I didn't plan it - but they intertwine
You do what you have to - I guess so do I
So please do not ask me - I can't tell you why

All of my reasons come down to one voice
I know that I love you and this is my choice!

©Copyright July 2004 by Robin Amy Bass