Tomorrow Comes
~~~
The adrenaline crashes
The turbines and whirling rotors
Become a numbing white noise
A drone so different than
The staccato of bullet and bomb
~~~
The iron angels have returned
Blades thumping the heavy air
Like the mighty beasts they are
Swooping from heaven to pluck us
From the hell they dropped us in
~~~
You exhale the fear
As the skids leave the ground
With eyes stung by the dust
You count heads again
Praying the number is not new
~~~
Even as the pain begins
To rack the wounds pushed too far
You suddenly feel safe
Relative to the death and destruction
Which filled your world moments ago
~~~
You are hungry, tired, dirty and scared
You are happy, proud, and thankful
You become lost in a stare out the window
Realizing the chances of seeing tomorrow
Just went up a thousand fold
~~~
And the hundred-degree heat
Cannot stave off the cold you feel
As everything drains off you
Every fear, every foe, every fight
Oozes from the wounds unseen
~~~
And there, in the arms of the angels
Your mind drifts, your eyes close
Need drives you to peaceful sleep
Not a word is spoken among us
Now that we know tomorrow comes
~~~
commonsensiblyspeaking 
I cannot imagine how intense that is to be pulled out and into the sky
Thank you, Beth!
You keep pulling on my heartstrings. This also moved me to tears. I can only imagine the feelings, but I could see the Marines releasing a breath of relief as they realize they and their brothers-in-arms will live to see another day. This is one of those poems that makes me wish I could reach through the screen and hug you. Not that a hug would really do anything, but I want to anyway! Thank you for your service.
Thank you, Kristian! It was my honor to serve the country I love.
Perfectly captured, exquisite detail described with precision and art. I remember, in the foggy vaults of my memory, days like those…
I know you do, my friend! Thank you for your kind words, brother!
You’re welcome my brother!
Amazing how poetry can flow from those moments.
Thank you, Geoff! IT comes from some unexpected places sometimes.
WOW!!!!!!!!
Oh my God!!!!!!
Thank you lord!!!!
They are the only word!!!!
Thank you, Carl!
Though I never served in the military, I feel like I’m right there.
“You count heads again
Praying the number is not new.” That must be the worst feeling.
Thank you, Pete!