what makes me
the one people talk to
returning a movie
someone said
"this isn't what i thought
it would be"
and i was like
open to a response
he got the movie because
it was about a war
he was in
but the movie was about
the politics behind
the war
not the footsteps
that he walked in
and yet
he didn't want me
to find a movie
about the soldiers' stories
"i was there"
and he told me
how he was there
carrying 100 pound weapons
that fought against tanks
it was within me to say
"thank you for your service"
and i did, in my way
"we're glad you came back"
he laughed slightly, and said
"me, too"
and nothing more
had to be said
but i listened anyway
what makes me
the one they open up to
i always wonder
(me the lightning rod of empathy)
and how can i help
as gracefully as i can
sometimes,
no matter how slight
it feels
all i can do is listen
prick up your ears
there's lessons to be learned
(hush)
A conversation between you and the vet transposed into a conversation between you and the audience. Nicely done.
ReplyDelete( I wish our conversations could be longer )