East
Those of us who have
been to war
know there’s no such thing
as evening their score,
though, sitting now
in a chemo lab,
with thoughts of remorse,
sadness, shame and more,
I’ll take what solace I can grab,
pleased with any balance
I perchance score.
Through years of anger,
guilt, regret, I’ve yearned
for peace, forgiveness, yet
with memories forever burned,
as those who don’t know me
thank me for my service,
with no idea how it feels,
how much it makes me nervous.
I’ve forgiven myself
a thousand times at least.
I’ll do so again today,
quite possibly tomorrow,
the memory a determined beast,
the memory of a distant East.
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ReplyDeleteYour exquisite poem stayed with me all day I hope that you do not mind that I responded with one of my own.
ReplyDeleteApril 27, 2019 at 5:59 pm
Toward Daniel ….
an ode to and for Daniel Paicopulos
***
perhaps it is only those who have truly
been in war – not as visitors or spectators
with flowers in their hair – but those who
have been in war – with the acrid stench of
burning still wafting from time to time on a
sweet spring evening… perhaps, and I think
this is profoundly true – it is only warriors
who have the truest sense and yearning for
peace – and perhaps the poetic heart who
survives or is created on a long ago battle-
field writes the balm that heals a scorched
heart and awakens all with a call as clear
as perhaps a Gabriel calling – come one and
all together in peace – everlasting..
And we listen in
reverence for
Daniel.
As he brings us home.