I stand here, in the Iraqi Desert...
Smoking with my best buddy
My shadow
He doesn't say much
He just lays there
on the ground
Looking up at me
He never leaves me

Last night
He reminded me
What it was like
The day I left
and a few hours before

That MotherFucker made me cry

This is why my tears fell
and I choked on my own breath
It was because
Of you

You Took care of everything
While I packed
Going over my list
as I rushed to stuff things into my bags

Like a manager, you inventoried meticulously
so I would be without nothing
so I wouldn't miss the small stuff

Each t-shirt
each Sock
each pair of drawers
rolled to perfection
as if I had done it myself

You learned by watching
every other time I moved out

The dogs snuk thier toys into my bags
so they could go with me
or so I would remember them
they knew what was going on
I trained them too well

When we were done
we left the bags in the living room
so we wouldn't see
untill it was time

All day you smiled
as if I would be there when you woke up

you sat a little closer
held me a little tighter
kissed me a little more
held my hand a little longer

We sat and planned my leave
couldn't decide
that's so like us

Let's get some sleep
we went to bed

we made love that night
twice
like there was no hate between us

you slept on my chest while I watched you
I watched you
and watched you

You didn't wake up to the alarm
I turned it off and got up

The lump in my throat subsided
as duty called

I slid on my uniform
piece by piece

I shaved
Brushed my teeth
slid on my boots
kissed the dogs
patted thier heads
said bye to george
he's our turtle

they all watched me
I donned my helmet and vest
picked up my Duffles and ruck
and headed to the truck

I didn't hesitate
I just knew I had to
I had to get there
to this very long day

I smoked a cigarette
staring at our window
picturing how the tree will look at christmas
this year and next

I shed a tear
to get it out of the way
I couldnt let you see me cry

I woke you
I watched you dress
holding you
slowing you down
one more moment lying next to you
in our bed
Just in case I don't get another moment like this

We got in the car and
headed to base

Everyone was there
a somber gathering
soldiers
families
tears
news reporters
I grew anxious
I grew heavy
I felt the fear
I looked up and saw the Flag
My heart burned with patriotism
I was ok
LET's KICK SOME ASS

God this hurts
It was time to go
way too quick
not enouth time
THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH TIME
for goodbye

"I gotta go Baby"

The way you clung to me
I have never been held tighter
by anything
I almost couldn't leave

I kissed you deeply
Just in case
I hugged you
as tightly as I could
so I could smell you for a while
Just in case
You burried your head in my chest
tried not to cry
so I wouldn't

It was no use

Your tears burned through my uniform
like holy water on Vampire skin
all the way to my heart
They still burn
They still burn
So I don't forget

So there is no "Just in case"