L Milton Hankins Poet Free verse

In Memory of Ed

I will always recall the look on Ed’s face
As we lunched underneath an oak beside the river
We stopped at an ideal spot on our canoe trip
Ed said, “This sure does remind me of Nam!”
A chill ran down my spine.
I knew Ed suffered from debilitating flashbacks,
And I had seen him in the worst of PTSD throes.
I thought, “Suppose he decides I am the Cong”
He always dressed in fatigues, carried his knife.

He was in church with his family every Sunday, 
But I had alerted the town policeman,
Also a church member, to be aware my concerns.
“I think it’s time we move on down the river,”
I suggested, and we began to pack up,
We had a marvelous day on the New River
Although my heart raced at some things Ed said.
His tours in Vietnam had destroyed his life.
A few months later, Ed shot himself to death.

He left behind a beautiful wife and two children.

written March 6, 2022

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Rico Leffanta March 7, 2022 at 11:20 AM The March of time does not always heal; it is difficult for some to come to terms with how they survived when a person next to them did not, or to live in constant fear that, in the dead of night, a loved one may seem to be the enemy attacking . . . .Youth disappears on a battlefield! Aloha! L Milton Hankins March 7, 2022 at 12:40 PM Apparently this is true, Rico. Aloha!

Alexis Y. March 7, 2022 at 9:46 AM WoW! Milt, What a well-written and powerful write on the aftermath of war. It’s sad to hear about your friend Ed. It was so kind of you and your family to take in little Eddie. Although I don't understand war, I thank the men and women for their service. Reading the ending was hard to read-Alexis L Milton Hankins March 7, 2022 at 10:04 AM We all did what we could, but, unfortunately Ed was beyond saving, I think.

Caren Krutsinger March 6, 2022 at 11:46 PM War is devastating for everyone including soldiers; why do we not understand this? Sadly I am sure this is a true story. L Milton Hankins March 7, 2022 at 9:09 AM It is. Ed was a member of my church. He had a lovely wife and two children. Actually, we kept his boy while his wife was in the hospital flat on her back for three weeks before their little girl was born. Little Eddie was with us through the Christmas holidays. His school grades even improved. Ed just couldn't cope any longer.

Gershon Wolf March 6, 2022 at 7:08 PM Ouch! A timely reminder of the horrors which war can inflict on each and every one of us. ~ Chilled to the Bone, gw L Milton Hankins March 6, 2022 at 9:53 PM True story. For me it was a very scary day on the river, but how could I refuse to go canoeing with him? I couldn't. It was worth the risk. I may have been the only friend he had left in the world.

Deb M March 6, 2022 at 6:26 PM Oh my Milton that really got to me….I hope it wasn’t your true experience….so sad and a waste of a human being. Bloody war! Really well written. Debx Deb M March 6, 2022 at 10:35 PM Oh Milton how awful for you to lose a friend that way and to see him so troubled by the war. So sad L Milton Hankins March 6, 2022 at 6:44 PM Yes, it is a true story, Deb.

Jeff Kyser March 6, 2022 at 6:20 PM strong piece there, Milt. I have several friends and relatives who are haunted by their wartime experiences. I can't relate, but I am grateful for their service. It sure did come at an awful price though. L Milton Hankins March 6, 2022 at 6:43 PM Yes, war exacts a horrible price in lives during and long after. Which accounts for the poem I wrote to accompany this one today, Jeff.