A Wartime Flashback

[Lonnie]

A Wartime Flashback



A jolt of pain attacks my sleep
snapping me awake
the ward is mostly dark around my bed

a shadow, long and deathly deep,
writhing like a snake,
causes me to turn my aching head

light from distant, dropping flare
shines through dingy pane
allowing me to see the shadows' source

a brave, young soldier, unaware
that I have seen his bane,
mumbles words of Catholic discourse

the Rosary his fingers feel
is not composed of beads
but human ears that dangle from a string

a prayer that once was meant to heal
now triggers other needs
and takes him to a place where demons sing

I start to cry, but tears won't flow
for this disfigured youth
who, even healed, will not again be whole

I cry because I've come to know
\ a universal truth
that war corrupts the essence of the soul


C. Lon R. Bruso

[Travis]

Great images...Wonderful message...A wonderful write!!

~Travis

[heinzs]

Only war and suffering seem eternal. What is it in our nature that drives us so? Thanks for posting this reminder.

[Lonnie]

My thanks to both Travis and Heinzs for their kind comments!

[WanderWren]

A very soul-stirring, woeful, and heart rending poem. Thank you so much for sharing Lonnie.
Very deep message at the end too...

[Lonnie]

I thank you kindly!

As a veteran of Vietnam, I know a bit about what this poem addresses! Thanks for the kind words!