Page 79 - A Soldiers Exposition

I Stand Guard

As he sleeps upon the couch
I stand guard
Even though I can touch him
He is not necessarily here
The stillness envelops the both of us
While I sit in my chair
He is quiet for a while then
He begins to stir
His arms jerk occasionally
And he mumbles out something
I cannot understand
I brush his forehead and he quiets again
I now sit on the coffee table
Watching his face
Wondering where he is
His brows furrowed
His jaw set tightly
He turns onto his side
Draws himself into a fetal position
He moans out so I lay my hand
Against his cheek
I feel moistness there from tears
He has shed in his sleep
He opens his eyes and blinks
He sits up and looks around in confusion
I sit next to him
When I open my arms to him
He lays his head upon my chest
I hold him in my arms, and we rock I know where he is now
He knows he is safe for the moment
Until he falls asleep again
Then I will stand guard

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