Coming Around Again

As he packs
the dress blues
the ones
he wears
far too often nowadays
I think
and I remember
and I take in a sharp breath
my memories come
crashing in sideways
and I nod my head
to no one in particular
it is
as it should be
a dreadful
anniversary
yet
they deserved every hat
and crisp shirt
and moment
that we didn't have then
to say
thank you
and to say
sixteen years later
we remember...
and we always will.