I CANNOT

On a dark and moonless night I look up
and can see a million miles away
as the way off stars of the Milky Way
sparkle across the expansive distance.
But, I cannot look into to your dark beautiful eyes
as they twinkle with love and mischief.

I can hear the roaring of cargo plane engines
as they land on the runway
and helicopter rotars as they lift off the ground  
But, I cannot hear our children laughing and begging me
to spin them around, one more time.

I can smell the acrid oder of fires burning
in the distance and of jet fuel exhaust
rising from the airfield.
But, I cannot smell  your perfume
that gently wafts through the air
to let me know that you have been here.

I am here and you are there.
separated by thousands of miles,
continents and oceans,
on the other side of earth.

But, I cannot escape feeling for you
the same as I did when we first met.
I cannot avoid needing you
as much as I ever did.
And, I cannot ask for a more perfect person
to call “My Love.”

To my wife Tania
From Foward Operating Base Salerno