What I See

As I open my eyes I see a world so sad,

In war life is full, some good, some bad.

I see the faces of friends, some who died,

I see a man who was hurting but never cried.

I see a marriage that slowly went wrong;

I see a man humming a 60’s song.

I see a man who is dead inside;

I see a man who can no longer hide.

His eyes are filled with woeful tears,

His heart still hurting after all these years.

His soul burdened with a heavy grief,

Perhaps in death he will find relief.

I feel for him, I feel his pain,

His life confused, hurting, truly inane.

I can feel his loss; I can sense his fear,

As I see his reflection in my mirror.

Michael D. Monfrooe

May 1994