Airports Are The Cure For A Happy Heart

I wrote this poem after my brother left for basic training two years ago. I'll never forget that moment, for it was something so heartbreaking it's almost impossible to forget.

The day you left

The skies were clouded over.

Patches of grey and black swirled.

Flashes of lightening erupted

And rain dribbled on to the concrete.

Your stare was hard as stone as we waited

In that small airport

In Lincoln.

 

The day you left

Time had no mercy.

Minutes felt like seconds.

All our bodies were tense.

For the first time in my 17 years

I watched Dad as his stone eyes

Melted in to sad

Tears.

 

The day you left

We walked you to the gate

That ripped you away from us

For the longest six months.

You wrapped me in a warm hug that day

As I buried my swollen eyes into

Your solid shoulder.

Never will I forget

The day you left.