Walking Wounded

We are the walking wounded

Silently navigating hospital corridors

Overhead flourescents illuminating our exhaustion

Highlighting tired eyes and tear stained cheeks.

We are the walking wounded

Wearing masks of bravery for our children's sake

Cheap facades crumbling easily when little ones sleep

Heavy hearts needing comfort away from children's eyes and ears.

We are the walking wounded

Witnessing our children's howls and wails

Wearing their pain as though it were our own

Vain attempts to lessen their burdens.

I am, indeed, walking wounded.

The diagnosis does not wear my name

But by marking my daughter as one of it's own

My spirit has been forever scarred.

Yet we, the walking wounded, keep on walking.

Picking up the pieces

Kissing injection sites and offering cheap distractions

All the while wanting to sacrifice ourselves for their sake.

But we can't.... and so we keep on walking.

Walking though wounded

One foot, then the other

Wearing brave faces.

Just for them.

Always.