You - Me

by Kimberly Williams

Who did  I marry? You? Army?
Which is it?
You have a wife, you have a life
But who is it, me or the army?
We planned a life together.
We made a child together.
To be together, to raise and grow together.
Then why am I on my own?
You're not here for the growing, the laughter,
The pain, and the tears.
You miss it all.
I know there is strain where you are but not as much as here.
You live in a make shift hut, not a real home.
You eat at a mess, but you don't have to cook,
decide, or clean it.
You control your platoon, adults still, even if some don't act it.
I care for the house, bills, cleaning, shopping.
I eat only what I prepare between schedules
and a child yelling "not that".
I try to balance work, pets, home, child, appointments,
and emergencies with no relief,
always having to be there without fail.
Who did I marry?
Who did you marry?
I don't think they are the same.
I really love you, but not the army!
 

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