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Stranger In My Bed

Story ID:2268
Written by:Stacy Lynn Stiles (bio, contact, other stories)
Story type:Poem
Writers Conference:$500 2007 Family Memories Writing Project
Location:Tomah WI USA
Year:2007
Person:My Husband
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Stranger In My Bed

Stranger In My Bed

Stranger In My Bed

Stranger In My Bed

Stranger In My Bed

Who is this man laying beside me?
You’re not my lover and I’m not your enemy
Searching and hoping for a familiar touch
Wanting and needing it just a little too much

Where is the man I married prior to this war?
I want him back entirely as I had him once before
They tell me he’s changed and it will never be
But loving him so much; I tend to disagree

Heroically fighting for our freedom abound
Risking his life for a cause to be unfound
Solitude and silence is one of his demands
And as for our family; we’re not under your command

Shelled and mortared each and every night
Not able to sleep for the fear of needing to fight
Hot, sweaty and exhausted; feeling all alone
Feeling as though you’re invincible; wanting to come home

Exploring and probing for the man you used to be
Trying to find similarities; trying to remember me
I’ve been with you this entire time; all the while you were gone
I never left your side my husband, even though you have withdrawn

What is it going to take for this stranger to up and leave?
How long must you isolate yourself, how long must we grieve?
Our children need you desperately as so do I
Don’t let them destroy you; don’t you dare die

Come home again my best-friend and thrust this stranger out
He’s been residing here too long and he’s reign is over no doubt
You’ve served this country honorably without any remorse
Now serve your family faithfully and let our marriage run its course

I will not give up and abandon you nor will I give in
You will fight for this family adamantly as you did so back then
I’m tired of sleeping alone with this stranger in our bed
I want that loving, caring man; I want my husband back instead

©Stacy Lynn Stiles


{I am a PROUD Military wife and I support the War on terrorism....Something we all forget is that freedom isn't free...and too many soldiers have died before us for us to abandon the thought that fighting for freedom is a noble cause...I wrote this poem for other military spouses who can relate to the aftermath of being separated for sooo long from their soldier and the toll it can take on the family....I support my husband and our troops 100% and may the Lords Angels be encompassed round about them}