"ALIENATED"
By Ben Fortier
I'm excited while suppressed
And under fire,
But depressed when I'm home
And get called a liar
By some old timer that probably
Dodged conscription
When I volunteered for a war
That required a conservative subscription.
He did no favors
With his lies and boasting,
For when my tears came
was the one roasting.
Self-loathing and disgust
Driven by bloodlust,
Aching to get violent And wonder,
"Why am I trapped in this vortex?"
Native Rhode Islander and proclaimed Renaissance Man, Iraq vet He is the author of Stones of the Wooded Valley and The Silent Whispers of Omens. His latest book PHANTOMS, covers his deployment to Iraq in '06-'07. Ben is the 2024 recipient of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s Robert A. Gannon award for original poetry dealing with Marine Corps Life.
What’s happening at VetRep…
Join us for an intimate evening of theater in the heart of Cornwall at our cozy Parlor on Quaker Ave. The final Parlor performance of the year will feature seven, 10-minute plays authored by veterans, including plays that have won grants through VetRep’s bi-annual Playwriting competition. Settle in with a winter mocktail and dessert while we explore drama, comedy, and all the feelings in between through each short play.
POTSHOTS by Stephanie Kline
THE ELEPHANT DELIVERY by Bill Smith
FISH TALE by Phil Wozniak
GIVEN: A WAY by Michael Towers
INTERMISSION PLAY by Dakota Silvey
IT'S NOT BLOOD by Kim Ruyle
SUNSET & VINE by Jack Truman
It's moments like these that fuel VetRep's mission. Join us to make more of these moments possible. With a monthly donation, you help bring more Veteran voices to our stage.
Commit today to support art that matters, supporting artists who have selflessly served our nation.