[Intro – gentle acoustic guitar strum, faint wind sound] Dust settles on the kitchen sill A half-folded note lies still [Verse 1 – soft fiddle harmony, slow drum tap] She hangs his dog tags on the wall Stares at the photo, autumn fall News blares a distant, sharp report Her hands shake, she turns it short [Pre-Chorus – building string melody, quiet bass] The coffee’s cold, the clock ticks slow She counts the days he’s been gone, you know A knock on door, her breath catches tight Hoping it’s him, not the news tonight [Chorus – full country band, heartfelt vocals] Bombs burst where the poppies grow He’s fighting where the cold winds blow She holds the words he left unsaid Praying for the day he’s home again [Verse 2 – acoustic guitar fingerpicking, soft piano] She writes a letter, lines blurred with tears Tells him ‘bout the neighbors, the baby deer Says the porch swing waits for his laugh Wishes she could take him back [Pre-Chorus 2 – richer string arrangement, steady snare] The radio hums an old folk tune She traces the edge of his moon A siren wails down the street outside She closes her eyes, tries to hide [Chorus 2 – layered vocals, soaring fiddle solo tease] Bombs burst where the poppies grow He’s fighting where the cold winds blow She holds the words he left unsaid Praying for the day he’s home again [Bridge – sparse piano, quiet vocals] He kneels in the mud, calls her name Holds a crumpled photo, tries to tame The fear that claws at his tired chest Hoping she knows he’s doing his best [Solo – weeping fiddle melody, acoustic guitar backing] (Instrumental Solo) [Chorus 3 – full band crescendo, emotional peak] Bombs burst where the poppies grow He’s fighting where the cold winds blow She holds the words he left unsaid Praying for the day he’s home again [Outro – fading acoustic guitar, soft fiddle hum] Dust settles on the kitchen sill She waits for him, always will