POEM "AND FOR THIS..."

As I struggled to stay alive, I found solace in creating this:

POEM "AND FOR THIS..."


We have a place that is so dear
It is home, we love it so
We weren’t born here
But it is home for many a year

We used to live so fancy free
Now we have a family three
So we settle our wandered soul
To this three bedroom sanctuary

They send us far from here
We try to bring our civil life
To a place which is madness sheer
Where life can be so dear

I have gone to the backyard of Europe twice
A place where once the Partisans victored
Where all the people are very nice
But survival can be a roll of the dice

Its here I learnt of war
In all its ugly truth
First person, not from Hollywood lore
Of all its blood and gore

The mission was to save the fifty five
The planning seemed at first precise
We go in, get them, and get out alive
But something was wrong; I could see it in their eyes

As I told my orders to my section
And their eyes opened wide
I realized these kids were not ready for action
But this was not my decision

Eight months at home
Then back for six more
This time it was different
This time we made the rules

Our work is finished there
Europe has taken over the task from us
All is quiet from what we hear
But the ancient hatred is what we fear

Off to a new place in the desert
Try to enforce peace to more peoples
Folks poorer than their dirt
A long history of endless hurt

Again the people seem very nice
Lots of waves and big smiles
But some looks as cold as ice
And then attacks, not once but twice

The Royals are let down by their ride
All they have is a small jeep, the Iltis
Anti tank mines on the trail not wide
Suicide bomber springs from the side

Three lives ended too soon
Families and comrades struck with grief
Memorial parades in the afternoon
Piper plays the mournful tune

Mourning comes short when missions are long
The Coyotes know this oh so well
Out of the gate as if nothing went wrong
Into the place where the clock is a song

The perimeter is secure around the camps
But we are miles from there tonight
It’s just the eight of us champs
Against the innumerous tramps

Or luck holds out another night
We pack things up and head back home
Back to the camp, a welcome sight
Counting our days to that homeward flight

The flight home comes and goes
A few days integration
Then days of leaves and pressure blows
But the pain in my body and brain grows

I think of the missions day and night
Can’t seem to adjust to this place
Wake ups with such a fright
I’m on edge, prepped for a fight

The old faithful friend is there once more
And he’s brought his friends as well
I’ve used this magic once before
As you know, this isn’t my first tour

Something is wrong, very wrong
And my faithful is not working
I have a name from the AAG throng
Just one phone call, what could go wrong?

I talk on the phone, it goes very well
We make an appointment
And then an appointment for a Doctor, do tell
And I think, sure what the hell


Looking forward to summertime glee
Spending time in the garden and river and such
But wait, no-no, it is not to be
Cause there is a two month tasking for me

I go on task, two months long
If I don’t, someone else would have to
I think I am strong
I am very wrong

I now know that this was a mistake
Two months alone
This was a task I shouldn’t have take
A better choice I should make

I end up in a place for a short stay
A place with two doors
One door is two way
The other is one way

It’s very easy for me to visit this place
I have the key to both doors
I usually make an about face
But sometimes I stay and pace

This room is not comfort controlled
It is much too hot
And back through the first door it is cold
Could the second door be the one to behold?

I’ve been as far as to touch the second door
But the key has stayed in my pocket
Oh it has such allure
Of that I am sure

The time I spend in the rooms varies
It could be seconds, it could be hours
But the charm that it carries
Is never far from my queries

I come into the room alone
And leave by myself as well
Alas sometimes I think of bringing someone along
But it’s something I’ve never done


My savior is the Doctor and his prescriptions
His insights and ideals are magnificent
But what is to happen without his medications?
Or his gracious salutations?

And for this….
I live day to day
More like moment to moment
With two keys is what I meant