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Soldier's 4th of July

He sits on the edge of the hill
his abode from a society
that shattered his dreams

he can hear the echo of thunder
in the valley below
see bombs of color burst all around
as he looks for a place to take cover

his mind is cocked
and fully loaded
he knows the constitution well
the second amendment
his right to bear arms
and his hopes of survival

he sees the tallies of bodies
of those that have fallen before him
as he crawls on the ground
like a lioness on the prowl
unaware the war has ended
through dissociation
of past and present

he sees the same scene
over and over in his mind
mines exploding,
soldiers imploding
planes offloading
guns reloading
his thoughts overloading

he lapses back
to the current moment
as the grand finale ends
and silence falls

the only sensual touch he knows
is from his faithful dog
who remains by his side
he pets his head
towers to his feet
as he wipes a tear
from his face


july 6 2019
Another Eight Word Challenge Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Kai Michael Neumann

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019




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Date: 7/8/2019 11:58:00 AM
This is very meaningful and bears sad truths. A 4th July message for every day ...
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Sandra Adams
Date: 7/8/2019 3:57:00 PM
it is sad... they fought for a country that won't fight back for them and help them find comfort again! hugs :)
Date: 7/8/2019 9:38:00 AM
Superbly done my friend...best for a win...and a Fav...sending love...^WW^...:o)
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Sandra Adams
Date: 7/8/2019 3:58:00 PM
Thank you...it's just what my muse drug out of the given words....funny how all minds go on different paths with the same sets of words....:) hugs
Date: 7/8/2019 12:17:00 AM
This is one powerful poem Sandra. mines exploding, soldiers imploding, planes offloading, guns reloading,his thoughts overloading...WOW. Well written. Good luck in the contest. I think it's a winner!
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Sandra Adams
Date: 7/8/2019 4:00:00 PM
Awww thank you Jeanne...perhaps it's because of the holiday at hand that my muse conjured this up out of those words! hugs :)
Date: 7/7/2019 10:05:00 PM
"he crawls on the ground like a lioness on the prowl unaware the war has ended through dissociation of past and present" - this is why the fireworks bother me. They are supposed to honour veterans, and yet they terrify many of them. Great job, Sandra!
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Sandra Adams
Date: 7/8/2019 4:01:00 PM
I have seen it first hand a few years back but it obviously stuck with me to come out in this poem.... thank you :) hugs
Date: 7/7/2019 4:47:00 PM
A bit reminiscent of 'All Quiet on the Western Front, Sandra. Vividly imaged. Best of luck in the contest. ~ gw
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Sandra Adams
Date: 7/7/2019 5:50:00 PM
Thank you... my muse took off with the word constitution before all the other words had a chance to cause a reaction! hugs :)

Book: Reflection on the Important Things