A haven for those like me

A poem about the iVillage Families In The Forces message board

A year ago this month,

My man, he went away,

He knew where he was going

Although he couldn't say.

He promised me that he'd be back,

But when? He didn't know.

All I knew, when he left,

Was that I had to let him go.

Sometimes I felt so scared,

So lost and so alone,

All I truly wanted was

For my man to come back home.

But then I found a special place,

A place where I felt right;

This place was full of friendship

And they'd be there day or night.

This place became my home,

My refuge, my retreat,

A haven made for those like me,

A place for us to meet.

A place to share my feelings,

Whether good or bad

When I was having a good day,

Or feeling really sad.

What happened on this message board

Was a wonder to behold;

Stories of real pain and heartache

Started to unfold,

But in response were messages

Of courage and of strength-

Pledges of support and friendship

Were given here at length.

For months it gave me so much joy,

And always gave me hope

It kept me sane and grounded,

Gave me the strength to cope.

Until my man came home again,

Safely back to me,

And I knew I owed these people

A debt of enormity.

I will not cherish the thought

Of my man being called to war,

But I'll never forget all the people

This board was created for.

I'll never forget the people

And what they gave to me;

They will remain forever,

Firmly in my memory.