The postman came up

to our doorstep today.

He left a package

small and gray.

From the minute we heard

the thump on the door

we knew something had changed

something was no more.

The door had long since been opened

the boxes wrap all about

the note left inside,

it said  I'm sorry for your loss".

Its heartbreaking

so silent, yet aching to scream, to shout

The small gray box

was a package no more.

The little box was empty

and there was an American flag by the door.