"Wildflower Wine"

By Chris Madsen

I steadied that rifle as surely as one can when shooting from the hip

I fired one shot into the dirt.
I missed.
I pulled the trigger.
I missed again.

It had all the sensations of dream where you’re forever falling into darkness or feverishly scrambling to catch your grip. It was trying to throw a punch when your arms weigh more than you can lift.

His impatient disappointment towards these feeble attempts made the skin lift from my dermis, only to crawl ten yards away, disassociating itself from further embarrassment.

I thought to load a round then another until the bullet and the target could meet. My pockets were empty, my two rounds were spent.

There I sat, alone in the field, picking wildflowers. I brought them home where they would wilt. Not all flowers bloom where they’re planted.

---

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

---

What’s happening at VetRep…

Listen to our episode with Kat Furrow on the Savage Wonder Podcast, where we interview incredibly talented musicians, artists, writers, and theater professionals, who also happen to be veterans.