Authored: September 23, 2017

I was only dreaming....
I watched them be happy, a couple
Through monitors that were my eyes
I saw each day
Wishing to be the man by her side
But I knew I couldn't
Because I couldn't get to you....

And on tides we can't be untouched by
I remember
The frames and faces I live with
Of images when my eyes close
I can't sleep
I entered war innocent.

My hands are stained, war bonds
Combat neurosis; barely functioning
A trauma so deep it burns and churns
I remember the faces....

And it broke my mother's heart to know
I came back broken
I can't let go of what I've seen
But I can promise I will not pick up a weapon again.

They haunt my dreams
I watch them be happy, making a beautiful family
Through monitors that were my eyes
Until that fateful day when my platoon....
And if so.... I became summarised by sounds of screams.

I wake up in sweats
I was only dreaming....
I left war with blood-stained hands and PTSD
Broken... haunted.... homeless.