I watched you squeeze from between your mother’s thighs
And I wept for her pain.
Lamaze lessons forgotten
By both parents
But you squirted out.
Ten fingers, Ten toes
Perfectly manicured.
I wept.
Mom and I didn’t work
And I wept for our pain.
You ran toys across a table
And scurried to find equipment
In camps I could make
With pride in you.
I wept.
You marched well.
418 on the parade.
I wept.
You had the outthrust chest;
I had the bursting chest.
You marched with pride
I choked inside.
I wept.
I held that manicured mannequin
In my hands
And wept.
I growled at the tempestuous teenager.
And watching the man on the parade ground;
Ah, Peter, I weep with you... Weeping can be a sign of respect, an upheaval of joy, an immense pride, or just an offering to the miraculousness of life's continuation. Weeping is an embrace of self, and in embracing self, we embrace humanity. One day it will be your son's turn to weep, learned from his father, and passed on to his son. The gift of compassion is precious, thank you for passing yours along, Peter, to your son, and us you touch on the Net. It is an honor to be your friend. These lines say it all:
"You had the outthrust chest;
I had the bursting chest.
You marched with pride
I choked inside."
Congratulations: Your song is another Devil Dog! Nicely written. I was Devil Dog, too. I'll never forget Parris Island. I would love to do it again, right now... just for the challenge, 25 years later, to see how I would do. I'm a former US Marine, but I remember every detail; every day, even those blurred by a raucous night before. Jeff Mason, Sgt. E-5, 2nd Mar Div, 2nd FSSG, French Creek, Camp LeJeune, N.C. 28542. (hmm... I even remember the zip code there)
Part mystery, part fantasy with a twist of science fiction, Clues of Chaos is brimming with suspense and adventure that will have you racing to the end yourself.
Winner 2016 Pacific Rim Book Festival in Science Fiction category. Honored as
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"You had the outthrust chest;
I had the bursting chest.
You marched with pride
I choked inside."
Safe journeys to your son, to you and to Karen.
Touching and loving write. Lisa