Poems by Jodi M. Kucera

You took a piece of me with you the day you left,
leaving me unable to catch my breath.

This isn't how it was supposed to be!
The world carries on like nothing has happened, but not me.

I'm stuck in this uncomfortable place of pain that no one can see.
I ask God to bring you back as I fall to my knees.

Tossed to and fro in a raging tide of emotion;
without you, I'm just so lost and broken.

I can still hear you calling my name,
then reality sets in and I'm reminded my life will never be the same.

Out of the corner of my eye I see you there, but when I turn to look, you fade away.
What I wouldn't give to just have one more day.

One more day to hold your hand
and to watch you live your life as you planned.

One more day to sing our song, "Close To You,"
and listen to you sing it to your son too.

I think about all the things I'll miss,
your smile, your laugh, your kiss.

I don't know how to make it through this,
when all I want is to call it quits.

As I look into your little boy's eyes, I know I have to carry on
so I can tell him about his mom.

I'll tell him how much you loved him and how you couldn't wait for him to be here.
Because of him, I know you will always be near.

My little girl has gone,
but to her little boy I will continue to sing our song.

Forever in my heart,
Always on my mind.
Together again we will be, all in God's time.
Heaven gained another angel the day you left.
Eternity promises you much needed rest.
Rest now, Daddy, I'll be okay because I carry you with me every single day.

If I don't make it home, please remember it wasn't because I didn't try.
The last thing I wanted was to make you cry.

I wanted more than anything to make it back to you,
But there was a job I just had to do.

As you were sleeping through the night,
We woke to the sound of gunfire; and I knew this would be my last fight.

It's my job to keep you safe and free,
And to do that I will give every ounce of me.

I am a soldier who will defend until the very end,
But that comes at a cost that I know I can't mend.

Keep a picture of me beside the bed and kiss me goodnight.
Imagine my arms around you, holding you tight.

Don't forget how my lips felt on yours.
Or my soft caress as our clothes fell to the floor.

Remember the warmth of my breathe as I whispered, "I love you," in your ear.
Just because I'm gone, my love doesn't disappear.

I know I broke my promise to be here to wipe away every tear.
You've cried a million of them every time you wished I were still here.

Please forgive me for leaving you so soon,
But my country called and needed me, too.