It's A Sad Day

It’s a sad day
when we forget Warriors
who've fought our Wars 
a price they'll pay
brought home—changed
the soulful smile you miss
the nightmares you can't fix
chained to what they’ve endured 
 lingering trauma
what they have espied...
that boy who perished at sea
the soldier felled on the beach
brothers separated onto ships 
both only sons of fraughted parents
what broke the heart... 
whence the contract procures
is the clash of wills and the turmoil of man
whither they are bound, it guarantees 
they’ll part with their
limbs torn
in drowning seas 
in roiling crimsoned tides,       
in disastrous flights
fallen from smoked skies 
from the harshest deserts
of the desert storms
in extreme heated days, 
in cold sands at night
in wide open terrain
their landmarks barren

I lift my head as I lay in bed this morn 
thru my curved bay window
I peer out from my drowsy squinting eyes
to catch a glimpse of the black bird’s mimicry 
he squaws a plaintiff’s alarm song 
O low and behold…
I am the only one 
parked on the Tuesday side of the street
reckon those came to forget
not one on my block had any memory of it
they aren’t touched as they should be
by simple procedures we must do
to celebrate, honor, or remember
to stand by the land of the free
to respect a marked day

It felt abandoning…

‘the importance’ 

‘the meaning of this day’  

‘what it stands for’

‘what men and women died for’

Today is Veteran’s day


PTSD turns to psychedelic therapy
Promising body of work
Treatment resistant
High in the veteran population
Removing red tape
To research
What was approved,
alters perception
Function
Reset neural connections of brain
The Trauma
Fasttrack it
Stanford’s founding—88% reduction of PTSD
—Dr Vin Gupta


I Am Anaya
November 11, 2025
Veterans Day

veterans dayfree verse

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Bj Legros Kelley

November 17, 2025 at 3:43 PM

It is sobering, as is your extensive depth in the writing of this poem. My nephew shocked us all when he, instead of going to college, as he had informed all with his graduation speech, one week later enlisted with his buddies into the Marines. My precious godson, now a wounded warrior, has been battling ever since. If it weren't for his mother, my little sister, he couldn't have survived the red tape. He is named Joe, as my dad's cousin who died over Normandy, shot from the sky in WWII. A huge US flag with the words 'Honoring Our Heros' is still on my wall, every day is Memorial Day for many. Also on display is a crystal US Eagle carrying a Purple Heart in memory of my dad's cousin. I can't take these relics down, I can't forget. Thank you for your poem <3

I Am Anaya

November 18, 2025 at 11:42 AM

We make sure not to forget our wounded warriors dear poet, relics & poetry. Those close to us, family & friends, we remember to honor them on Veteran's Day. We make sure the programs designed for the wounded warrior are not cut. I think of the Senator Ladda Tammy Duckworth Assistant Secretary of VA she a US Army Veteran—a piolet in the Iraq war—her Black Hawk helicopter hit, lost both legs. First female amputee & now congresswoman, she was awarded a medical waiver to continue serving. God bless her! Your nephew & his buddies were brave & still are. Sufferers of PTSD. There are promising new programs available for those who don’t respond to conventional theories. Thank them for their service for me, I wish them inner healing. Hoping he is part of this wonderful program. November blessings! xXHugs

Duke Beaufort

November 13, 2025 at 4:31 PM

Anaya, you take a hard look at the history and document the trauma that some suffer. I'm with you on letting those in need having medication that allows for a mental reorganization It's all rather remarkable. Reorganization of a brain through therapy is a very long process. This might be a very promising short cut when used in the right setting. Smiles!!!

I Am Anaya

November 14, 2025 at 4:43 PM

Let's hope they do not get cut. It's a miracle what they offer as a healing remedy, perhaps what the psychedelics are meant for. Everything has its purpose. Indeed!

Daniel Henry Rodgers

November 13, 2025 at 6:20 AM

Dear Anaya, I am so happy to see your Veterans Day tribute. Being both a veteran and a therapist, I could relate on so many levels, and yes, psychedelics are having a positive impact on PTSD, complex trauma, and trauma in general. Thank you, my dear friend! Autumn Blessings, Dear Anaya, Daniel

I Am Anaya

November 13, 2025 at 11:59 AM

Daniel, Thank you for backing the research with your experienced insights confirming Dr Gupta's articles & discoveries. I follow his updates. I'd like to thank you for your service as well, I'm sure you've plenty of stories you could share. Hope yours was a wonderful Veterans day.!

Jay Narain

November 12, 2025 at 10:18 AM

Happy Veteran's Day. Like you say in comment replies, it is a day to remember veterans who gave everything for the country.

I Am Anaya

November 12, 2025 at 10:48 AM

Ty Jay for your kind words and sentiments! Veteran friends serenely celebrated at our favorite Starbucks, over congenial conversations, made the morn a cozy seaside experience & a tepid ocean ambiance ~

Paige Hind

November 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM

Happy Veteran's Day! I think this was good of you to write about it. I saw Suzette Richards blog, In Flander's Fields- it is among my favorites.

I Am Anaya

November 12, 2025 at 9:34 AM

World War I ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. We celebrate & honor all Veterans those who served & those who survived wars, many who return will have PTSD. Memorial Day we mourn the U.S. military personnel who have fallen while serving in the U. S. Armed Forces—Yes the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers.

I Am Anaya

November 12, 2025 at 9:33 AM

Wounded Warrior Program a series of specialized programs designed to assist wounded, ill, or injured service members & their families. These programs provide non-medical support tailored to the needs of service members, helping them navigate recovery, rehabilitation & transition back to civilian life. They cover a range of issues, including medical treatment, benefits assistance & peer support, ensuring that service members receive the care & resources they need to thrive--this maybe a program that has been on the CUT list.