"We Trip and Then We Fall..."

By Chris Madsen

We trip and then we fall when we “know”
that we’ve found the…
It’s when we’re young. When we’re
foolishly brace and reckless.
Our dreams will float us across oceans
to futures bright and clear.
We’d fight in wars to keep a new love
safe and secure.
As the clock ticks we come to know that love
comes and that love goes.
Plates shatter against walls and glasses break
in empty sinks.
Silence can be stolen behind slammed doors
which suddenly reopen.
Wounds scab before they heal and against our
mother’s judgment we continue to pick.
A strong beat in your chest can soften to a
shallow and empty thump.
Absent a sound you come to realize which
things no longer break as easily.

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Chris Madsen is a former Scout Sniper and US Army Veteran. You can find more of his writing here.

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What’s happening at VetRep…

Listen to our interview this week with Ben Fortier on the Savage Wonder Podcast.

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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!

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On November 4, 2023, world-class guitarist (and military child) Michael Bard will be performing at Carnegie Hall – and a portion of the proceeds will go to VetRep! Get your tickets here.

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We are currently offering multiple dates for our online 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.