THE HOMECOMING

People were staring out the windows
of the airplane
watching the box being loaded

a long wooden box
taken from the cargo hold

when they placed
the stars & stripes upon the box
it was entirely a different matter

there was no question now
the box was a sealed casket
the body inside it
a US Marine
killed in action

there was no question anymore
of the somberness of the moment
tears welled up in so many eyes
as the casket was lowered
and then placed into a waiting van

honor bearers stood at attention
their flags as limp as their hearts
and all the activity at the airport
ground to a halt

people paused in the terminal
bunched up at the windows
their hands over their hearts
bound together in respect
and regret

there was a feeling of helplessness
and overwhelming sorrow
the saddest sight they would ever see

they wondered
what do they say to his parents
his family
such unforgiving loss
such gut-wrenching grief

for them
for all
who witnessed this painful experience
that day at the airport

an American soldier coming home again
for the very last time.



© d.knape
January 31, 2017

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