Cover

(Written Saturday, March 19, 2011, while completing army infantry training. Boot camp takes away a part of you, forcing you to find it and take it back.)

I find no solace in hooks and blows
or combat quarters close.
I get no high in steel or chrome
for they cannot fend off the ghosts.
Nighttime twinge marks confusion's wake,
no cover to hide from fear.
First step's courage is next step's drain
expressed by Sunday's tears.
Twists and turns of heart and soul
behind these walls expected.
Shouts and chants build fortress guise,
true self goes undetected.
Yield not to weakness, to pain, to hunger,
to mind's resistance strong.
Give in to order, to tradition's code,
and to identity - so long.
Build trust, make friends, make memories,
learn life from one another.
And when flag and promise
take life and limb,
dress, recover.

Final Resting Place

(Written Sunday, April 3, 2011, while completing army infantry training. Boot camp will do this to you.)

Breathe in, breathe out,
where is life?
I reach for solace amidst strain,
no one notices.
Get in, get out,
where is night?
We do so little in so much time,
I just want to close my eyes.
Almost out of try,
want goodbye for once.
Want to lie for escape,
want to die.
Want to bound out into night,
dangerous freedom.
Wanting pride from loving smiles,
want last day to come.
So long, so long,
either way.
Might sleep well tonight,
might say goodbye today.
So long, so long,
final resting place
could be dream's awakened day,
could be safe to stay.
Could be soul's last challenge,
final resting place.