Long Defeat
(Sam Farrugia)
“It’ll be
over by Christmas”, the soldiers used to say
But Dad, we never
used to celebrate Christmas, did we?
Some wars
don’t end, some battles can’t be won
All we can
do is rise with the sun
And face the
shadows, one more time
Muster what
strength we have, fight another day
It’s OK Dad,
I understand why you do what you do
Time made me
hear everything you could never say
It’s a fearful
thing, living under this cold sky
Every
morning the sun opens its eye
It’s a long race
when you’re running scared
We might
finish last, but we’ve got to see this thing through
Don’t worry
Dad, you won’t always have to fight
Someday soon
you’ll say your last goodnight
Your eyes
will be opened,
and pure
light will banish all darkness from that eternal land
But before
you go, reach out and touch my hand
And I’ll
step in and box with the shadows here below
They’ll
assume it’s you as they deliver each blow
Cheer me on
from beyond the stars, I’ve got many miles to go.
