Steve Voorhees Poet Free verse

War Wounds

If you'd seen this metamorphosis
Wide-eyed boy-
                      proud soldier-
                                         anguished vet
If you watched the light in his eyes
  transform into night-terror cries
no more sleep at night--no more love for wife
........this war would wound you too

Direction needing, structure seeking
signed on dotted line

You were shipped as fast as trained

2 week deep bootcamp grad
Midwest kid set out for foreign land
    We got matching tattoo's as a farewell F'You!
         My brother's now G.I. Joe

Seeing morning news reporters
  skillful truth distorters
 Plasticine smiling..... human caricatures
Update deathtolls daily-I cringed each time, each day
 Rattled off like a lotto number-I clenched my teeth

 After a year and a half...you made it back.  Thank God for that day


When you've see this Metamorphosis
shocking at first, then grows steadily worse
To see friends welcome him...high fives, hugs, and hand shakes
   hear them asking him to paint a scene
     to relive this nightmare-laden dream
His eyes shutter-bug flicked...unfocused, then recalibrated
  trying to convey hell to those lacking perspective
They went on to catch him up on "current events" in town
    distantly, looking down....recalling explosion sounds
Hearing them but no longer identifying....it all seems so small

If you've seen this Metamorphosis
My heart goes out to you
To hear those voices we've known 
carry somber tones...present, but not feeling at home

.....this war's wounds I feel with you.

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Carolyn Devonshire February 15, 2009 at 11:31 AM Steve, you're right, we are on the same page! I'm glad your brother made it home safely. My cousin returned from Vietnam a changed man; the light in his eyes had disappeared and he was filled with hate. Such a loss! You might enjoy "Lt. Willy on Trial" if you liked "Mideast Military Madness." You tell your story so well! Carolyn

Colin Mitchell Williams January 11, 2009 at 9:28 AM Hello Steve, thanks for your comment. This poem is as sad as it is poignant, carefully written and with true insight. When will the real cost be counted ? I sometimes despair at the sheer stupidity of it all. Everyone becomes a victim.

Sara Lokken January 11, 2009 at 6:53 AM This is depthful, and amazing in the message. Time heals many wounds, but the ones in the mind often fester, some never heal at all. A very talented write!:) Are you sure you want to take a walk in my mind? You wouldn't know what you'de be getting into, lol....Best wishes, Sara:)

Kristin Reynolds January 11, 2009 at 3:18 AM Oh my, I am so sorry for him. I pray he may be healed one day soon, a lovely tribute, love, Kristin

Laurie Ginn January 11, 2009 at 12:54 AM I watched one of the most gentle boys I know go through this. He had to do something there that forever will be with him. With much counseling he has been able to functions somewhat "normally". Thanks for this, sometimes we forget. Laurie