Twenty Five Long Years

                                                      She sat so all alone
                                                      on her porch upon a hill
                                                      the rocking started at dawn
                                                      in the early morning chill

                                                      Each day became the same
                                                      as her yesterdays did grow
                                                      her tears fell like rain
                                                      her hair white as snow

                                                      So much time had passed
                                                      since the day he went away
                                                      but wars continue to last
                                                      and mothers continue to pray

                                                      Separted by an ocean
                                                      each day she longed even more
                                                      to see her smiling son
                                                      walk through her front door

                                                      Each night when she went to bed
                                                      she left a candle bright
                                                      a flame in the window red
                                                      to guide him home at night

                                                      But no one did appear
                                                      upon her doorsteps there
                                                      she laid her worries and fear
                                                      upon God's shoulders in prayer

                                                      Today the rocking chair is empty
                                                       no candle can be found
                                                       just the wind blowing peacefully
                                                       with leaves covering the ground

                                                      The son she so yearned for
                                                       she's now crying joyful tears
                                                       he'd been waiting on another shore
                                                       for twenty five long years

                                                        Susie Swanson, 2012