Home at last, bags in hand
With a smile upon his face
A well earned break, some R and R
From that God forsaken place

Bags abandoned, to the fridge he goes
Looking for goodies to scoff
You smile as you watch him fill his face
A resemblance of a pig round a trough

With belly full, its shower time next
Bathroom no longer free
For what seems like hours in that room he dwells
How dirty can he be?

He appears again, sparkling clean
In nothing but boxer shorts
“Make us a brew mum, will you please?”
“Not forgetting the biscuits of course!”

So there he sits in his favourite chair
With his pint pot brew and biscuits
Contented sighs as he downs three at once
You know how much he’s missed it

Television on, remote in hand
Channel hopping time has begun
Flick, flick and flick some more
Searching for something fun

Disney Channel, Top Gear
Last of the Summer Wine
Laughter fills the house once more
At last you know he’s fine

Family arrives, to welcome him home
His stories now he tells
You sit and you listen and try not to cry
For you know he’s been through hell

Tea time next, his belly is rumbling
“What’s to eat?” he says
You look in the fridge and everything’s gone
So it’s off to the shops… happy days!

Shopping all done, you head for home
His favourite meal you cook
He devours his food then asks for more
Without a second look

Night time comes round, he settles down
In the comfort of his own home
You look at him and smile with pride
As he catches up with mates on the phone

Then he’s off to bed to get some kip
In his comfortable bed he lays
“I’m glad I’m home I’ve missed you all”
Then “Good Night God Bless” he says

Day breaks through a peaceful night
He’s still sleeping like a child
You want to wake him but change your mind
Just let him sleep for a while

Almost noon, there’s movement above
Breakfast he will need
Full English cooked with everything on
For your hungry soldier you feed

He eats his meal, each mouthful cherished
“That was great” he says
Then he’s off upstairs to find his dad
To plan what to do that day

Dad’s smiling again, his soldier is home
His right hand man is back
They’re off to the shed to disappear
Amongst the junk and tack

Lunch time comes, they both appear
Covered in muck and grime
They’re chatting and laughing and larking about
Just having a bloody good time

Washing next, you open his bag
Repelling away from the smell
You wonder how long it’s been since last washed
You ask him but he can’t tell

With clothes at arms length and a peg on your nose
It’s off to the laundrette you go
The attendant looks on with a frown on her face
But do you care? oh no!

The washing is done, or so you think
It smells better than it did before
You reach the house and there he is
With another pile, he’s found some more!

“Don’t worry mum, I’ll do it myself”
“Like heck you will” you say
“Just leave it there and it will be done
Sometime later today”

So for two whole weeks, your routine is broken
Nothing is quite the same
But you don’t care for your soldier’s home
At least ‘til he goes back again

That day comes round, you hurt inside
But do not let it show
Stay safe my love, come back real soon
As on that plane he goes

He’s back in hell, your worries return
In your prayers each night you say
“Dear Lord above; keep my soldier safe
Please bring him home soon” you pray

Before you know it, he’s home again
Golden brown tan on his face
His tour is over, you thank heaven above
He’s out of that terrible place!