The Soldier's Repose

The Soldier's Repose When the battle was over; And the gun fire had ceased. The weary soldier sat; And prayed for tomorrow's peace. Brave warrior, weathered and tired; From all that his service had required. He saw more then his heart could perceive; Welcomed the moments of reprieve. Though his body unscathed; His spirit, deeply wounded. The war within rages; As he fights to be attuned. He attempts to blend in; With society as a civilian. Though his hands shake; And the night terrors, chilling. Loud noises and crowds; Trigger the memories. He goes through the motions: With mechanical reverie. He drinks to fallen comrades; And drowns out his sorrow. He cries in the dark; By day his shield is bravado. Welcome home soldier; You're expected to forget. But faces haunt his dreams; And begins too many days in cold sweats. Not all victims of war; Perish in battlefields; For post traumatic stress; Is killing them still. ~ Darlene Doll Smith