My War Hero

Everyday I watch him die inside
His old skin wrinkle and fade
I feel helpless and lonely
Can't help but be afraid.
I know what's round the corner for him
The doctors tell me every morning
"One day he might just slip away,
There may not be a warning,"
Memories of happy times
Don't seem to ease the pain
Instead they bring back heartache
And make me cry, again.
I hold his hand, stroke his head
As the hours dwindle by
The nurse's sympathetic looks
Only make me wonder "why?"
No-one is deserving
Of the suffering and tears
Especially after serving
So many dutiful years.
Even on the front line
He would never think of himself
Our family was never overflowing
With money, cars and wealth.
But still when I watch him
Lying in that bed
I know that somewhere inside
He's wishing he was dead.
During all the time he fought
In World Wars 1 and 2
He never put himself first
But I now I want him to.
I sit here at his funeral
Praying for his soul
And I know that he'll reach heaven
If not, there's no hope for us all.