I've been in the desert for so long now,  
I've missed my home and my only friend. 
And now I sit here, asking myself how,  
My heart can break, as my days here end. 
 
I've fallen in love for the last time in my life,  
With the desert and mountains I see every day. 
To this desolate land where I followed my wife,  
Now a little voice close to my heart, asks me to stay. 
 
How can my soul be so torn in two?  
Why oh Lord do I have to choose?  
My grand son's eyes plead with me true,  
And inside my heart I feel the bruise. 
 
Oh that my soul could be taken apart,  
Leaving pieces for the places and people I love. 
For the sights and the little ones in my heart,  
I plead to the Lord, for help from above. 
 
Fourteen years ago my son left my home,  
To become a marine, because he wanted to serve. 
And now I must leave him and his little clones,  
But I lack his strength, and his unerring nerve. 
 
My only solace, is that someday,  
I can come back to this country so fair. 
Somehow, somewhere, there must be a way,  
To be with the ones, for whom I care. 
 
This broken heart, will have to mend,  
This soul so ravaged, must soar again,  
I must be strong, this is'nt the end,  
I must smile, act happy, pretend there is no pain. 
 
5/24/10 29 palms ca.
Juan Olivarez
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-broken-heart-55/