In honor of Memorial Day and to help raise some money for Netroots For The Troops (NFTT), I'd like to share a poem that came to me in a dream.
I had been re-watching on my DVR the justly Academy Award nominated documentary "Restrepo" that's about one year with a US Army platoon fighting in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan, filmed by Tim Hetherington (RIP) and Sebastian Junger (who also wrote the associated book WAR, which I've also read and is very good).
So upon going to bed after watching this film, I had a dream of being in a firefight like the troops in "Restrepo" experienced on an almost daily basis. And more strangely a poem about that firefight emerged nearly fully formed in my head during that dream. When I woke up, I thought "Now that was really strange", and immediately wrote down the poem before I forgot it (because I usually forget the details of my dreams). I've since tightened it up just a bit, but the poem is about 80% exactly as it came to me in my dream. So I present my dream poem called "Firefight Dream" below the squidgy, and ask for your support of NFTT on this Memorial Day. Enjoy.
Firefight Dream
D. E. Wagoner
Light flash
Dust bites
Sound snaps
Still alive
Ears crackle
Vision narrows
Muscles tense
Time slows down
Flip the safety
Hesco shakes
Squeeze a burst
See cordite snakes
Look left
Glance around
Take a count
No one's down
Sarge yells
Check the draw
Mac and I
On the run
Down below
See the blood
Seems too old
Could be a lure
Kick a rock
Rolling stone
The shooting stops
Head back home
Lean back
Just a probe
Take a breath
Breathe out slow
Now I'm also a veteran (US Navy, 1971-75, USS Nimitz). But that was during a different war, and as a supply officer on a carrier I was never under fire. And as a veteran naturally I have deep feelings for our troops currently in service and our veterans. For those who wish to thank me for my service, I sincerely say Thank You from the bottom of my heart—but for today, could you chip in 5 bucks to NFTT as well, just for Memorial Day, and for our troops?
As for this dream (and poem) of mine, it was really bizarre in that I've never dreamed a poem before. I have written a bit of poetry, but never dreamed it. I wonder what Freud would say about that. I am also a retired physics professor, so there were many times I have gone to bed thinking about a problem and then woke up with a solution or a new idea—but I rarely remember the dream itself. This dream poem was a first for me. And for those who would like to repost, redistribute, reprint, or email my poem (or this diary) elsewhere, you have my permission—just keep the poem intact please.
So now comes the pitch for NFTT. Like The Temptations I ain't too proud to beg. So on this Memorial Day, if you haven't already done so please please please make a contribution to Netroots For The Troops by clicking the "Donate" button below. Give whatever you can. $200 or $20 or $2, it all goes 100% for care packages to our men and women in uniform who are risking their lives in combat for us and our country. No amount is too big, or too small.
NFTT is also a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, so your donation is tax deductible. Exxon and BP are getting theirs, so here's a chance for you to get another tax deduction as well, and for a much better cause than some additional profits for companies that have more than they know what to do with.
I know there are lots of other worthy and needy causes out there right now—food pantries for those suffering from the Great Recession, women's shelters, Red Cross for all the victims of these horrendous tornados. But on this Memorial Day, please also think of our troops, those currently serving in combat in addition to those who have perished in war that this national holiday commemorates. Every dollar for NFTT will go to a soldier, Marine, airman, or sailor (no Generals or Square-Knot Admirals) serving in Iraq or Afghanistan who will be so completely appreciative of the care package, not just for what it physically contains but even more so for the knowledge that there are so many people at home that they don't even know who are thinking of them and wishing them Godspeed for the safe completion of their mission and their safe return to family and home.
You don't have to like the wars. You can hate the wars, and yet love the soldier. I myself hate this war in Iraq, but I love and admire all my brothers- and sisters-in-arms over there for their service and devotion to Duty, Honor, Country. All I am asking is for all you wonderful people here at Daily Kos to appreciate, honor, and yes love a soldier by clicking that button and donating to NFTT as I have done. I guarantee even a widow's mite will give you an inner glow and add to your Karma big time, as well as show a soldier how much he or she is loved and appreciated by those back home—to us they are not unsung heroes. Plus many a mind may be blown in certain quarters upon learning that such a huge number here at Daily Kos love, admire, and support our soldiers and veterans as much (or more) as others do across the political spectrum—and that we put our money where our mouth is.
So I hope that if I haven't been able to persuade you to donate to NFTT with my little story and poem, that I was able to do it instead with a guilt trip. Either way, it's all good since it's for our troops—so please hit that "Donate" button now. Thank You.
Finally, a closing limerick:
An odd sort of poet on DKos
Asked all of the Jills and the Joes
A five or a fifty
Please give it to NFTT
You'll feel great from your head to your toes