Homecoming Day

I don't know where this came from. It just fell out in one big piece and I recorded it before it all vanished.

I don't think war ever ends for those who've experienced it. Some men come home in pieces....and others in pieces you can't see. And yet somehow they're expected to simply pick up where they left off, as if they've just returned from the grocery store. And the wives and lovers left behind? How can they begin to understand the damage that war can do? When the nightmares come....or the prolonged silences....or the newly erected barriers......then what? You can't insist a man turn himself into something he used to be.

"Casualties" are defined as killed, wounded, or missing. But we all know that list is multiplied 10 fold when loved ones are factored in. It's possible to not shed a drop of blood....and still carry a wound that may never heal.

She let her hair down
then back up again
back and forth to the closet
well that's where she's been
it's homecoming day
and she needs to look fine
wants to make her soldier
stop on a dime
and say "is that really you?"
they'll be no turning back
she's gonna give him everything
and to hell with Iraq
they'll be time for collectors
and the bills piled high
foreclosures and yard sales
and wondering why

Oh it's homecoming day
Oh it's homecoming day

How long has it been
since she didn't count days
how long has it been
for all the clichés
she's proud in a way
others won't understand
he was always her hero
but she don't give a damn
for flags or for ribbons
bumper stickers and noise
from those who stay home
and pray for the boys
no time for Jesus
or parades on the square
she wants to reach out at night
and know that he's there

Oh on homecoming day
Oh it's homecoming day

will he have the same smile
will he have the same eyes
will he try to cover up
what's buried inside
or will he kiss her forehead
and tousle her hair
and leave all the rest
behind over there
the bus windows are tinted
she can't see his face
but she undoes a button
and smiles just in case
she gets lost in the crowd
and he's straining to find
the women who was
the girl he left behind

Oh it's homecoming day
Oh it's homecoming day

She leapt in his arms
and she wouldn't let go
the cameras they all pointed
microphones had to know
what a homecoming means
in 10 seconds or less
but for this one time
they'll just have to guess
when they finally got home
with the lights way down low
they lay side by side
and the tears came so slow
when he trembled she held him
and wiped the sweat from his brow
and she held back the nightmares
without knowing how

Oh it's homecoming day
Oh it's homecoming day

It's Homecoming Day
and everything in between
the saints and the sinners
and the kings and the queens
the phone off the hook
the thank yous they can wait
there's a new pecking order
still left to liberate
there's pieces you can see
and some that you can't
wishes to wish
and wishes to grant
questions unanswered
promises unfulfilled
lovers abandoned
and innocence killed

Oh it's homecoming day
Oh it's homecoming day
Oh it's homecoming day
Oh it's homecoming day