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by Suzzane Austin-Hill
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(Warrior’s Wife mobile version)
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She———————————waits patiently while he trains
————————————–excitedly to see him graduate
————————————–tearfully while he’s deployed once more
——————-(and hopes with desperation to see him return alive. whole. in his right mind.
She waits————————–proudly while he’s in school
————————————–admiringly to see him graduate
————————————–hesitantly for the next … and the next … and the next move
————————————–graciously until he retires
——————(and as he maneuvers the transition from military to civilian life, she is faithful)
The Military Wife waits bravely in lobbies, examination rooms, and at bedsides
—————————————fearfully as he enters the testing facility alone and
—————————————sadly as she is told to social-distance from their car.
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Suzanne S. Austin-Hill, Ph.D., is a retired, internationally recognized mathematics educator. She has written two hundred-plus poems. As early as 2012, her more soulful forms of expression were published in The News of Sun City Center/The News of Kings Point, Lifestyles AFTER 50, Shade in the Sunshine State Reflections on Segregation in Florida, Vol. 1, and TattleTALES (an anthology). Other literary credits include the magazine, Mature Living. Her work is featured regularly in the online magazine, Of Poets & Poetry, sponsored by the Florida State Poets Association, Inc (FSPA). Suzanne’s work has received recognition by the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. Her poems have been awarded a First Place and Certificates of Merit by the FSPA. She won first and second places in two Lit Wit Humorous Poetry Contests sponsored by the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries. For Suzanne, poetry is an ointment, an elixir and a tonic that pours out from her heart. Her first book of poetry, Sixty-seven Pages from the Heart, was published by Kindle Direct Publishing in December 2019 and includes the poem, “Soldiers’ Return.”
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