Because I had known him as a young poet who often participated in open mics around the Savannah area, I couldn’t help feeling ambivalent when my friend Steven Croft told me he had joined the National Guard after 9/11. I felt that his words should be his weapons. Then I reminded myself that I had in fact earned an overseas combat ribbon while simultaneously taking dictation from my muse. With that in mind, I came to greatly respect Steven’s decision. Until this past week, I was uncertain of what may or may not have happened to him. I am deeply honored to present (with his permission) the following note and poem authored by him.

Aberjhani

 Dear Aberjhani,

     My workload is less now as our mission in Iraq winds down for us.  Soon it will be the task of others to carry on.  Wondering about you I did a Google search and found you and your work easily, and I have been reading through it.

     It looks like "ELEMENTAL" is not yet out, so maybe I will make it home in time for your first Savannah signing. I hope Cary Knapp will have you at the Brunswick Library again when the book is out. I will talk with her myself when I'm home and see if we can talk you into coming to Glynn County.

     Let me know if you get this email, when time permits for you.  I'd like to send you some of the emails I've sent out from Iraq. Since it's National Poetry Month, here's a poem:

SUNRISE

                   The phoenix
                   which rises
                   out of the ashes
                   of darkness

                   to bring the world
                   life
                   is a symbol
                   a mirror
                   of smaller occurrences,
                   smaller victories,
                   in life.

 
                   Sunrise is like meeting
                   someone
                   after a long night
                   of loneliness,
                   stretching over years,
                   someone special,
                   someone like the last
                   person,
                   years ago,
                   who melted the ice
                   of the world
                   just by being
                   present
                   in one's life.

 
Your friend,
Steven Croft
Task Force, Field Artillery
Brigade Combat Team

©Aberjhani and Steven Croft
April 2006