Antebellum and the Abolition

Some days are like standing at the

liminal abolition of the journey.

Fork in the road –

The end –

It’s like having the death angel

crouch down in a bunker with you.

He smiles –

"I’ll be back".

It’s a place where silence is shattered

with the unexpected

like shrapnel piercing through calm waters.

As do metal pierces the flesh.

Blood –

Laughter turned into terrible fear.

Followed by a calmness.

Flashing lights of the days prior.

Self reflection.

Acceptance.

Every day that I wake up

is filled with breathing in that moment,

living life in its fullness.

Ripple effect-

No more silence.

We have only once chance to get it right.

No do over’s –

One chance.

At antebellum did I feel like this?

Did I ever feel so close to the liminal abolition of the journey?

The end –

* Antebellum (Latin for “the period before the war”)

Checking In

Finally, a moment to breath as I am counting the days (12 to be exact) from my much needed Rest and Relaxation time. I have not had much time to write very much poetry lately as life here has been pretty hectic.

I have 18 days to love up my family, take a cruise through the Western Mediterranean, pick up where I left off with trying to teach Anaya how to ride her bike, take her to get a new baby turtle, walk our chocolate lab with my wife, take a few long drives and catch up like old friends, work on my jeep and wear my own clothes. It doesn't stop there! I get to sleep in my own bed, eat hard boiled eggs, drink "real" milk, and have the furthest thing from "near" beer!!

In 7.5 months and this being my second tour I have missed a lot of holidays. I enjoyed Christmas over the web cam and have become temporarily satisfied with hearing the voice of my wife and daughter over the phone. Sometimes I just cut it all off, so detached from everything, I forget what its like to be at home...but finally I'm on my way. I'll be in touch!

Poetry Is What I Live

Commanding Troops in all of its chaos....making decisions....sending Soldier's on missions....taking care of them....no sleep...busy...running...working out...trying to read...trying to breath....be patient.....take it in....be spiritual.....love my family from a distance...smile when I hear my daughters voice.....startled by rockets.....subtle tension.....feeling adrenaline....I am alive.....I am being me............and praying for more days to do so and live what is in this moment. Caught up in the here and now...the colors blend....train moving fast...living going on.....lives being lost...staring out of the window...hind sight is 20/20....