The Sound of the Beach

As the years passed, and the girl grew older, she no longer asked where her dad was
Because she already knew
And now at her high school graduation, she is prepared for her speech
Her speech for the entire class, and her speech, for her dad
"Daddy, this is for you:
Sorry you cannot make it today, becuase you are too far away
But that's okay, you did great, and now today is my day
I don't remember much of you, but the things that I do
Like when I fell and hurt my knee, or when you helped me tie my shoe
You were always gone and I didn't know why
Mom said you'd be back, but I didn't think you'd die
We were on the beach, and I remember that day
I remember it perfectly, because it was the day you went away
I was only 5 then, so I didn't understand
Why you kneeled in front of my mom, and took her hand
She smiled through tears and then you hugged, then you came in front of me
You took my hand also and said "We are free"
I didn't understand what that meant, until years later
Until after long walks on the beach, and my senses much greater
You were a Marine, Daddy, and you fought for our country
And even though you're gone, "We Are Free" "