Silent he, br the Sentinel Dad, br rampart high, br just beyond emotion's walls- br over which br messages are tossed; br and gifts showered saying br 'I love you child.' br br But he did not br leave enough br his Provider Post- br manned at all costs br but silently spoke br miming br 'don't you know br I love you most? ' br br And I br in child's reply br could not hear- br craving instead br a child's hug. br br I eventually understood br someone must br bear the lonely watch br so that others might sit br the warming fire; br br part destiny br part parts played br by Dad br and me. br br Love br seen br and unseen; br br Father-soldiers born br and then they die. br br his duty br stoked on rampart high br wick burned low br each night; br br occasionally I see br ember sentiments float by br muted, inarticulate br br love's firefly’s extent br just beyond br my child's eye; br br so cruel this: br br Security br and Love br bent br by circumstance— br both he and I.