I was sent to war eight years ago
It seems so short a time when I think of it now
Guess who's coming home
Just a few more miles to walk ahead of me
My backpack's getting heavy, my feet drag wearily
But I'm feeling free
All the nights of waiting and silently praying
All the nightmares that I've been enduring
I have survived
Because of the thought
Of returning home
To my wife and son
With her in my arms
Instead of cold guns
Not being alone
Not sleeping on stone
Seeing them smile
For a while
Finally I'm entering the town
Most people and buildings look new to me
But there's a familiar smell
I'm walking through the streets and greet the people
Gotta make myself known now that I'm back here
But no one even looks at me
My house doesn't seem to have changed all this time
I knock gently on the door and ring the chime
My wife welcomes me
Reluctantly
She looks me up and down
Her forehead in a frown
She asks who I am
I tell her my name
She looks far away
Her gaze going astray
Shaking her head
She says, "That person is dead"
She apologizes and shuts the door in front of me
I tell myself to not give up so easily
Tomorrow is another day
I search for a hotel and rent a room for one night
I throw my backpack on the bed and turn on the light
I feel like taking a shower
In the bathroom I see my reflection in the mirror
I blink and touch my face in terror