Midnight tears

Its 12 a.m...
And I wake to sounds of the pouring rain
 The clock sits staring
Then lightening illuminates the darkness
And the thunder follows it in shame

Through the pitched blackness
Into slumbering
But, surreal hallways
Blinded I stumble forth and on

Lucid memories begin to lapse
Into younger years bygone
Then the creaking footfalls echo
Reminiscing into long ago

Even further…
Til’ sounds from father’s room a seeping
My little ears afraid
By worry of what they may hear
His fainted sobbing, a hush preceding

My curiosity stronger than before
And innocent eyes through doorways peer
It’s the war again; Mom said he tried
To leave it all behind

But, storms of booming violence
Rush back all the killing
The death and its experiences
Still locked up within his mind

I love my dad
He protects me from his terrible pains
But, somehow I’ve learned to understand
That he needs me…
To help calm his troubled angst

And silently I step
Creeping towards him
And nestle up and into his trembling hands
Tugging upon his sleeve
And whispering "Dad,dad?"

“God has sent me here”
Then directly in his ear
Quieter now “To love you”
The tone gentle and naive

Wiping away his tears
He whispers back...
“I know”
And picks me up relieved

We both turn towards the window
To take notice of the silence
As the rain alive
Stops to watch

Somewhat aware
Of God's presence here
We looked at each other with a shrug
And then my dad he gives me
The world’s biggest hug

Then quietly...
Among the last of the midnight flashes
He carries me back
And places me into bed

Pulls the blankets up
knowing this will comfort me
 And I’ll never forget the words
To me that time he said

“One day you will have a son
Always let him know you love him
And your bond will never end”

Again I wake...
To the sounds of dripping rain
The lightening has ceased
And the thunder it no longer blames

I unwind the blanket
And uncover and sit
Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes
Awake, on the edge of my bed

A dream?
A reality?
I run my fingers through my hair
And reflect upon it

Then I realize…
I was not alone
Dad is watching and protecting
from his place of paradise
With God in His Heavenly home