My Marine

My Marine

He is both.
He is mine. And he is not.

His task is dreadful.
But noble. And necessary.

He returns to me
On his leave.
I have many questions.
But I cannot ask.

I will be the light.
I will be home.
I will be
what he needs me to be.

He is both.
He is mine. And he is not.

I drink in his smile.
But it never reaches his eyes.

I revel in his laugh.
But it didn't have his spark.

I give him all of me.
Our souls were
fated by the stars.

He is inches from face.
But he is so far away.

He is both.
He is mine. And he is not.

He sleeps while I cannot.
His eyes are closed but his jaw is tense.
His heart is steady.
But his breaths are shallow.
His touch is gentle.
But his muscles are stiff.

He is both.
He is mine. And he is not.

I promise him.
While he sleeps by my side.

I will remind him.
Of his joy. Of me.
I will remind him.
Of life.

He holds their hopes. Their dreams. Their hearts.

I will hold his hopes. His dreams. His heart.

Because

He is both.
He is mine. And he is not.

When it is time I will return it. All of it. And maybe,  then he will remember. His hopes. His dreams. His heart.

Never gone.
I will keep them safe.

He leaves again.
To serve them-
The living. And the dead.

I know now.
Time cannot erase,
He is forever changed.

I am changed.

I will remind him.
Of his joy. Of me.
I will remind him.
Of life.

My Marine.

Always both.

He is mine. And he is not.