For I am an American Veteran

I am an American Veteran

I would prefer you did not stare

I don’t mind if you say “Thank you”

I might not have visible scars you can see

I might not be what you think of when you say

Military Veteran

I am quite sure I have earned the right

To call myself one

I can prove this if I must

All I ask is that you not assume it’s alright

To treat me like I am not

To share pics of me without my consent

To stare at me when I walk past

To ask me where I served

To ask me if I have killed someone

To treat me with the same respect

I give to you

For I am an American Veteran

And I would have given my life for you

The Guilty Flesh

Within seconds, the wound is opened

The guilt pours out like blood on the battlefield.

It stains the soul blackened like the earth.

It amazes how one question can open such wounds so easily.

Such a simple question, "why do you feel guilty"

Can open such wounds so quickly, so deftly.

Like the blade of a knife cutting into flesh.

Leaving a jagged edge open and bleeding.

Such wounds are hard to heal.

When questions continue to open them up.

Pennsylvania - 09/11/01

For those of you who never knew

this too shall not pass

We owe to you our gratitude

for the things we still grasp

 

Our freedom rings

through songs we sing

Our hearts they overflow

The pain you endure

for this I am sure

 

For those of you who never knew

I owe my precious gifts

for the choices you made

you surely have saved

my life instead of you.