For Pennies

A new soldier and a new day, standing tall and freshly afraid older at once.. wiser.. aware, after boot.. there's monsters out there He seems to be smiling but there's a new edge, gonna be a Marine just like he said There's something scary about being brave, a lot of little pieces he's hoping to save He comes to visit, to see mom and dad She hugs her baby, happy and sad tells his brothers of others, those who didn't make it They slap his back proudly, knew he could take it He takes the time to visit a girl someone kinda special from his boyhood world They sit together, he talks to her father like swimming alone under dirty black water She takes his hand, they go for a walk She kisses his face, rather than talk She hugs him goodbye, then hugs him again the sweet tears of youth, where innocence ends She tells him she's sorry, feels guilty as hell for being so selfish, not loving him well i tell her to tell him, she assures me she will She cries on my shoulder, i am crying still i am only a father, happy to be one with daughters who are daughters, sons who are sons wishing that soldiers weren't so very damned young and daughters weren't sweethearts under the gun They walk through the garden, stop at the well She wishes for kisses, to be loved long and well He wishes for someone to talk to, someone to tell for pennies and lovers, for pennies and hell The well is for wishes to hold and to keep as dreams are for secrets alive in our sleep Together they whisper, alone lovers weep For pennies we hold them, for pennies to keep