Marching Home

*

After the parade, no company do I keep.

When all is drear and dark and bleak,

And out the window the moon is dull,

I lay without you,

Always without you,

My arms are empty and my heart too full.

*

Daytime hours fly by in love and light,

'Til all is passed and out of sight.

When dusty workday's parade is over,

Softly, I speak with you,

Across the miles with you,

Together, we plan our forever.

*

Voices and faces from many different places.

Parade's conversation cannot fill hollow spaces.

No matter if I'm beloved by many,

Alone in my room,

Tears shed in the gloom.

Without you here, I never feel steady.

*

How is it a heart can overflow?

A thousand seeds be laid down to sow?

Yet I lie barren? No crop to reap?

When day's parade is gone,

When light's light is gone,

Like sap cut free, my love does seep.

*

When I can see past my darkened bower,

I still have faith in the parade's power,

I know someday you will march home to me.

Then long lines will be broken,

And words in one time spoken.

Please let the parade bring you home to me.

*

For you are the one who makes me whole.

And you are the reason I am not whole.

Until the day we may eschew our sorrow.

When your ring becomes mine,

And mine becomes thine,

Only after that parade will our happiness follow.

*

Yes, when the parade finally marches us onwards,

Then, I will not mind that the parade is over.

*

Written for the After the Parade Challenge on Vocal Media.

First published by Call Me Les July 2022

Media from Shutterstock.