The Riley Soldier Poem by Valerie Chase

he speaks to me like there's nothing new.
but it's all lies.
riley soldier, tell me your worries.
tell me the images that you see, tell me the feelings that are left to bleed.
the war is an image he can never forgot.
he tries to erase memories but falls short.
'tomorrow i'll do normal things, like those civilians who deal and feed.'
i wish that you could, riley soldier.
at dawn there is no haste, to waste life away.
but be glad to live another day.
this is my riley soldier.
my husband, my savior.