I watch the hour glass intensely
As more sand races to the bottom
He'll take off in just under a year
Gone for three months and back for only one
Just to vanish for who knows how long

I don't know how much sand he has left
It better be enough for at least fifty years
Mom says she's proud, Dad just jokes around
But it's clear as day:
They're both scared

His feet will sink in sand
But he'll be tip-toeing on thin, fragile ice
All while thousands of miles away
Ten people will be on their knees
All with his name in mind

So any guess is as good as mine
I know he'll train vigorously
I know his unit will protect him
So I'm stuck watching the bottom of the hour glass
The top covered by a camo tarp
And wishing and praying that the last grain never falls