Kevin

dear, friend -- if i may,
i know it's been a long while since we've spoken
since a hello has crossed this space
but i, i have never thought of you in any other light

dear, friend -- i thought of you last week
walking along the harbour, where we used to watch the ships
and you would tell me about how you wanted to be part of them
a traveller, adventurer -- hero, as the ones who came before

friend, you called me the night you made your choice
and told of the way your sister cried, and your mother screamed,
and your father somberly said he admired your bravery
and i, too, cried -- and screamed -- and did all i could to change your mind

and friend, i think of you, watching the same sunrises
but from greater heights and deeper depths and further plains
about your laughter across the miles, and the way you never let on about
that weight that you carry on your shoulders so effortlessly

and i, i will forgive you every time that you miss a coffee date
and i will understand, every holiday when you don't come home
because you're busy out there wandering the country and keeping it safe

they, they will call you comrade
and one day, i'm sure of it, they will call you commander
but i, i will always call you "friend"