"Awake in Atlanta for 32 Hours"
By Steve Callahan
I saw a tall man with tattoos of trees on his forearms
and it reminded me of you
and massive quantities of tactical patches stuck to daypacks
limp wristed men holding fruit mentos and red wine in plastic cups and
a grandfather holding a crying girl
I saw a couple from Africa coming
to America to visit
Baltimore (of all places)
and no less than three Eagles fans
and triumphant “go birds” were exchanged
I saw deep sadness and great love
I saw myself
scattered across thousands of people
I found madness in the idea that each
person was living a whole life
outside of my momentary orbit with them
I saw a man in SpongeBob Vans
and wondered what he did the day before he bought them
I saw couples in love
I saw lonely souls
I saw tourists
of both earth and body
vapid soulless things
who were here to fill the background wings
a lesbian told me I had a great mustache and we talked about lifting
I saw important businessmen doing important business
busy busy bees with no time to rest
I read Cormac McCarthy while the woman next to me read about faires having sex
I went insane
I fell in love
I watched a cockroach nibble on some crumbs that littered the carpet and wondered what it would be like
I felt the warmth of the sun on my back as I
leaned against the window and tried to sleep
I dreamt of you
and awoke to my horror
surrounded by everyone
but very much
alone
Steve Callahan is a writer, a poet and a former Marine infantryman. Bursting with creative efforts, Steve runs a poetry site, podcast, and is heavily involved in PB Abbate. Steve’s writing covers his experiences in the Marines, his deployment to Helmand and the psychological peaks and valleys of an infantryman’s life. Follow him here.
Listen to our Podcast with Steve here.
What’s happening at VetRep…
Listen to our latest episode with Kimberly Evans on the Savage Wonder Podcast, where we interview incredibly talented musicians, artists, writers, and theater professionals, who also happen to be veterans.
If you can’t wait to get back in the parlor with us, go ahead and reserve your seats for September, for Chris Soucy’s “The Absurdity of it All”. Chris Soucy is a VetRep resident artist and Army Veteran. He is a co-founder of Odd Lot Improv and the Savannah Shakes Theater Company, and has worked as an actor, puppeteer, writer, director, and filmmaker, with over 30 years of experience in the theater industry.