Escape

Locked in the Valley of Darkness Not seeing any chance of escape Survivor guilt and bereavement A constant form of mental rape. Then the veterans stepped in Dragged me on the Metal Bird Back to a place of happiness Years before we’d all shared. A little bit of reticence At our first greeting More than forty years Since our last meeting, In that very village. In that very space. Old friendships just Fell back into place. And slowly and carefully They brought me back to life Helped me to finally accept The sad loss of my wife. When the Big Metal Birds Sent us on our various ways I was ready and more able To face the coming days. Out of the Valley of Darkness My grief nearing its end Thanks to the reunion Of old Squaddie Friends When you’ve shared the Beasting Shared the pressure and the fears Watched each others backs Friendship overcomes the years. There were eight in the party, Now we are down to five, But one way and another we Still help each other survive.