Poem from a soldier's diary

From a soldier's diary...

“Pick up the bags, it’s time to go”
The clock strikes six and tells me so.
I look in the mirror and hear it say
Wish I stayed another day.

A mental note of Things to do
Flush my mind and take me through
Pending tasks, spread as hay
Wish I stayed another day.

Banks and cards and loans and bills
Undone signs on deeds and wills.
Fees and rents I could not pay
Wish I stayed another day.

I call for sonny to help me pack
He gets the shoes and brush from rack
With silent words, he blocks my way
Wish I stayed another day.

A visit to zoo, a splash in pool
A surprise pick from gate of school
“You promised me!”  his tears say
Wish I stayed another day.

The lady I love is packing my meal
With tender hands and a heart of steel
Where hundred pains and problems lay
Wish I stayed another day.

I hold her near and then realise
I didn’t even hug her once or twice
She smiles at me with nothing to say
Wish I stayed another day.

Unsaid words and unsung tales
Compliments, wishes, cards and mails
All change hands in a mystic way
Wish I stayed another day.

Dad is mute and strong as ever
Speak of his fears, he will never
Hiding his tears by gazing away
Wish I stayed another day.

His pair of specs and bottle of rum
I promise to get, next time I come
He smiles the way I ve seen him grey

Wish I stayed another day.

On my post in chill and ice,
Tired and spent I close my eyes.
Faces from home appear to say.
Wish you stayed another day.