it was not death that took him
but as I lay here next to cold sheets
forgetting what his voice sounded like
or the way his face still seemed
somewhat youthful
after that first deployment
and the places his hands bruised best
when he returned
it might as well have been
but he’s out there running
riding a wave of pain
drowning in the warmth of brown liquor
telling war stories on borrowed pillows
to ears that don’t know the difference
between boasting
and a cry for help
and
I
am
here
grieving
him
wishing he’d stay gone forever
and yet still
that he might find a way
to come back
home
The Blood and the Bones is the pseudonym for a former lover of a US servicemember. Follow her here.
What’s happening at VetRep…
VetRep is a finalist in the theater class for Hudson Valley Magazine’s “Best of Hudson Valley 2024”! The elimination ballot is live for the next round, so follow this link and vote for Veterans Repertory Theater!
Listen to our latest episode with Mitchel Coffman on the Savage Wonder Podcast, where we interview incredibly talented musicians, artists, writers, and theater professionals, who also happen to be veterans.
The parlor is back! Our first show of the season titled “Dunkirk…and Other Surprises” is a feature of seven veteran authored 10-minute plays. Join us for an evening of both drama and comedies, accompanied by dessert and a refreshing mocktail! Seating is limited and shows sell out fast, so get your tickets now and make sure you have a front-row seat with us on April 6th. Get your tickets here.