Until You Have Loved a Marine (Poem)

Can you see the pain behind her smile?
She hides it so well.
Can you hear her voice tremble as she speaks?
Not so easy to tell.

Do you see the solitude in her eyes?
As if she’d show it.
Do you notice the emptiness in her soul?
No way for you to know it.

Can you hear her heart break?
As he ships off to war.
Do you hear her choke back the tears?
As her love walks out the door.

Do you recognize her patience?
As she counts down each day.
Can you hear her ask for courage?
As she kneels down to pray.

Do you see her pride?
As she flies that red, white and blue.
Can you feel her strength?
Knowing this is what he has to do.

You’d never guess that she wouldn’t change her life,
Or any moment in between.
“Semper Fi” is a phrase you’ll never understand,
Until you have loved a Marine.