"In An Instant"

by Dayl Wise

It's early morning, the sun has not risen 
as they carry the stretcher from the chopper.
I’m strapped in as shock sweeps over me. 
 
The medic is running alongside the stretcher.
I look up and see one of the door gunners. 
He is carrying the head of the stretcher.
 
They carry me in from the dark,
through double doors into blinding light.
Awaiting me a nurse, a first lieutenant.
 
I can see her lips move but can’t hear her.
She leans in to me and puts a hand to my chest.
I smile looking into her freckled round face.
 
I know in an instant that my war is over.

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Dayl Wise was drafted into the US Army in 1969 with service in Viet Nam and Cambodia, 1970 1st Air Cav 2/5. He returned with a different mission in 1993, 95, 97 delivering medical supplies in the form of reconciliation. He is an honorary member of the China Beach Surf Club. His poems have appeared in numerous publications, and is the author of Poems and Other Stuff  (PTP, 2004) and Basic Load (PTP, 2009). Dayl lives Woodstock, NY with his wife, the poet Alison Koffler, and is co-founder of Post Traumatic Press. dswbike@aol.com - PostTraumaticPress.org

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Want the best date night possible this Saturday night? Drinks, dessert, a hilarious live performance, professional actors, an intimate unforgettable space, pay-what-you-can tickets…it simply does not get better than this. So come on out and join us at our Parlor on Quaker Avenue for our staged reading of Steve Martin’s Broadway comedy Meteor Shower.

FYI, we’re sold out for the next three weeks. You’re welcome to show up and hope for a cancellation. But if you really want to see the show, why not book now for our July 2 show and save yourself the uncertainty?