Terry D. Sutherland

THE LONGEST YEAR

He stepped off the plane
Boots bloused and shined
Khaki uniform wet from the rain
He smiled as he waited in line

Hi Babe, he said with a hug and kiss
I’m here now, no need for a fuss
The year was long, it was you I missed
Come on now, let’s get on the bus

She smiled but never spoke
On that bus ride into town
He grinned and laughed and joked
He greeted everyone around

Well, hell, I thought we could win
But it’s over and done with now
We took it right on the chin
But we didn’t stop or lay down

I’m home now, I’ll never go back
I’ll forget that part of my life
Let someone else get his egg cracked
I’ll stay home with my wife

The sadness at night will go away
I’m sure if I give it some time
I hope it doesn’t last every day
It wasn’t in the contract I signed