another day with & without the nam

1969 - 2018

another day with & without the nam

in the quiet trap of aloneness
one sits among the accruements of life
images speak beauty, woe, the fidelity of the moment
i am my own picture, portrait of a soul lost to war
diseased by the fit of service to country
draft status 1A, ranks E1, E2, E3, E4, serial number us52989202,
2 July 1968 entered army
13 March 1970 honorable discharge
sit, quiet among all the cells in my body,
eyes, ears, voice wait for another day
then another day, another day!
in the absence of heaven i sit on earth’s stool
and wait for another day.

Reviews

[Alfred Kukitz]

Thanks Emma!

Having introduced you to my sadness I feel your empathy of a loving human being.

regards,
al

[Alfred Kukitz]

Thanks Sami!

I find in the embassy of memory the mystery of reality and my being.

regards,
al

[Emma]

You have so much emotion in this without needing to just describe the emotions. The sensation of being trapped, and not belonging in the world you have returned to; the doubt about the world and the future, yet resignation to the hopeless present; the fact that no-one has placed a hand on your shoulder and asked you how you feel....this is all shown in those final 2 lines. One of the best metaphors I've read in a long time.

[Sami Khalil]

This shows me that things and events don't happen in a vacuum and affects no one even across time. The movie of reality is still playing and claiming lives. We need patience and understanding and above all the truth of awareness to carry us through the pain and heartaches. This was sad but true. An excellent journey back in your shoes.

[Alfred Kukitz]

thanks jacob!

i think about no war, a job at the cement plant, swing shift, wife, kids on another planet.

regards,
al

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and for many---times have passed...the war affects so many who have been over wherever it is...and come back different...stained by it all---just trying to exist the best they can.
to find a purpose, a meaning.

j.