Love Poem: End of Ops
Steven Cooke Avatar
Written by: Steven Cooke

End of Ops

I am nearing the end of my journey
The path that I walk is almost done,
Over my shoulder are friends now gone?
In front of me a life, underpinned by yesterday’s fear
For I am in a world where no one belongs

Tomorrow I look through the sight for one more time
My finger, no more the killer and my shoulder 
Never to feel the recoil of tracers sent
I have spent too much time bringing Peace to others
It is time for peace to find me.

This letter I write to you,
for you have been my rock, and my friend through this ordeal
Your love has been the oasis that protects the candle that is my life
Whose flickering light is fragile, refusing to be extinguished
For it is entwined in my love for you, nourished by your letters
Without which, I would not care for fates demise,

On lonely patrols I am comforted by the beauty of this river, which reminds me of you
For you are my river and I am the salmon, happy to wallow in waters so blue
I traverse the waterfall that is your spirit
My strength though faltering, can still conquer these shallows of misfortune
And my courage is strong, as is my love for you

For I can still face the bears that seek to destroy us,
This old warrior has spent too much time in wars arena,
A soldier’s death I will not seek here, for my end is to be with you
To die in your arms, held safe in the spring waters that is your soul.

I am leaving this place, where friends gave so much,
Where sacrifice, and loss dwell,
Where silent widows weep.
Fate has decided, I’m coming home, coming home to a peaceful life,
To live again with you, in freedom,  my beautiful wife.