At Daddy's feet
Wishing he were here
The man who told
Funny stories
And said he lost
Enough stripes
To be a Sargent Major
He did not speak of combat
I did not need to know
I felt the sadness
And knew the horror
From his nightmares
My entire life
He made light of it
Awake
He honored bravery
Honesty
Loyalty
Sacrifice
He lived his life with these
Passing that honor
To his children
The nightmares never left
Imaginary Garden With Real Toads
