A heart so tender, real, and pure
a man whose bravery made us secure
has faltered, fallen, lost his way
felt broken each and every day
A father and a husband true
a son, a friend, a marine in blue
taken along life's rocky road
reaping hate from love he sowed
Too many times been disrespected
a soul too shattered and neglected
to understand his inner worth
forgot that life is full of mirth
Longing to find a faithful friend
expressing feelings through his pen
he found a release through poetry
and through his words he then found me
Just knowing that there's one who cares
and in his time of need will share
Once recognized, a kindred soul
will mend the spirit and make it whole
A champion arises inside the man
who only needed that helping hand
now seeing all the things he does
affect the man he thought he was
And all it took was kindness shown
a friendship forged with love that's grown
into a bond no man can break
a threefold cord only God can make.
*Dedicated to my friend John D. Jungers…a loving heart who has dedicated HIS life to the men he served alongside, the family he raised, and the patients he protected. God bless you always! Your friend, Kathryn