Never Do I Ask Why

Across the street a woman sits,
As she does every single day.
At night she leaves her porch light on,
And I never dare ask why.

Never does the light twinkle,
Nor does it go out.
The light simply stays still.
And never do I dare ask why.

Year after year the light stays lit,
The woman still waits in the very same place.
Staring out into to the distance,
But this time I dare to ask why.

She explains that many years ago,
A war called for the one that she loved.
She couldn't stop him as the country drew him in.
And she promised to wait until his return.

Afraid he would be unable to return home,
She'd leave her porch light on hoping he'd see.
But grasped into her hand was a letter
Saying he fought the good fight.
And the country was sad to see a great soldier die.
But still she waits for his return,
Or she waits to join him.
A tear falls down my face,
Because I finally knew why.