Kerry

Trauma

In the passenger seat,

Taking the turns

High up in the French Alps

A random conversation started

Goodness knows how.

Point blank shot to the forehead

My grandmother dead.

A thousand soldiers

Escorted us out

Down to the forest

To a makeshift camp

Two weeks to scavenge

Uncertainty, fear

Volunteered in the militia

Killed my fair share.

 

No wonder he has nightmares

Every single night of the year.

Psychological help, no.

PTSD to be sure

Violent tendencies too.

 

Surrounded by love

Messes that up too

Chaos, pain, confusion

He’s a stubborn, pig-headed mule.

 

Kerry Bridges