"22 October 2015"
By Amy Sexauer
That time of year when you think it is summer
But then the mornings get hotter
Yellow pollen cooking on green wooden planks
Survivor’s guilt is a hungry dog
Chasing happy memories
Only the good die young
And I’m still here
Survivor’s guilt doesn’t care about our mothers
What would you go back and change?
Who would you protect from grief?
Those you couldn’t protect with your death?
The shame matures with age
Wishing it had been me
Is less noble than it sounds
Amy Sexauer is a poet and author of Poppies published by Dead Reckoning Collective, from which this poem was taken. She is a West Point graduate who spent nine years on active duty in Military Police and Psychological Operations units. She is currently in the Army Reserves. You can listen to our Savage Wonder episode with her here. Follow her here.
What’s happening at VetRep…
Listen to our interview this week with Scott Cottrell on the Savage Wonder Podcast.
VetRep is thrilled to present “God of Carnage” by Yazmina Reza for the month of September. A playground altercation between eleven-year-old boys brings together two sets of Brooklyn parents for a meeting to resolve the matter. At first, diplomatic niceties are observed, but as the meeting progresses, and the rum flows, tensions emerge and the gloves come off, leaving the couples with more than just their liberal principles in tatters.
Tickets have been selling out, reserve yours early before they’re gone!
We are currently offering multiple dates for our online and in-person Playwriting for Veterans classes, and our Acting for Beginners class is now being offered weekly every Saturday from 10am-12pm. Scholarships for qualifying veterans, as well as multi-class passes are available. Registration details can be found here.
Love all of Amy's poems.