Congratulations !
You have been awarded points.
Thank you for !
- Story Listed as: True Life For Adults
- Theme: Drama / Human Interest
- Subject: Flash / Mini / Very Short
- Published: 11/11/2022
The Mournful Notes
Born 1949, M, from Binghamton NY, United StatesThey pass by and turn away
My shabby appearance, an affront to their sensibility
Their world is not my world and they would not survive in mine
I have nightmares, they have dreams
They have hope, I have despair
I taste the sand in my mouth, I smell the jungle in my nostrils
I hear the screams… still
I have been with you forever and will be again… over and over
Insanity
They say welcome home, a requirement for past sins of omission
When I die, if they take notice, a flag will be laid out for me
The park bench I slept on the monument to my life
The mournful notes of a bugle will sound at my final resting
If they remember
The Mournful Notes(Lee Conrad)
They pass by and turn away
My shabby appearance, an affront to their sensibility
Their world is not my world and they would not survive in mine
I have nightmares, they have dreams
They have hope, I have despair
I taste the sand in my mouth, I smell the jungle in my nostrils
I hear the screams… still
I have been with you forever and will be again… over and over
Insanity
They say welcome home, a requirement for past sins of omission
When I die, if they take notice, a flag will be laid out for me
The park bench I slept on the monument to my life
The mournful notes of a bugle will sound at my final resting
If they remember
- Share this story on
- 10
Mike
11/12/2023So sad. It is just ununderstandable why nature treats certain people like that. I don't if its their karma fro their past or whatever but it is just sad to read about it.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Kevin Hughes
11/06/2023Lee,
Just yesterday I was talking with another Veteran about what some of us have to carry around. I have had dozens of fellow Veterans tell me stories I promised I would never repeat. I have kept that promise. But let me tell you...just hearing some of those stories is enough to give the listener PTSD.
And they don't have to be "War" Stories. The number of young men and women who lost the love of their lives, simply because they were stationed to far away to keep the romance alive...is staggering.
One of the guys in my Platoon had to go to Therapy from the trauma of sleeping with fifty guys in a Bay and using the bathroom without stalls. For him and his "bashfull bladder" every day was a test.
Sure he learned to pee from the back of a Deuce and a Half ...but he didn't like it. For some, Basic and AIT are a walk in the park. For others it was life changing. Spending years in countries where you don't speak the language, or know the customs...even if at "Peace" left many a Vet disconnected when they came home.
So yeah, so many never let on to how much they hurt...because they think you have to always be the Hero. So they don't talk, don't tell, and carry that burden hidden from view.
Someday we will have true peace, until then, we have to support our brothers and sisters who served until they can find theirs.
Thanks for this.
Smiles, Kevin
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Lee Conrad
11/06/2023Hi Kevin, More than a few sailors got washed overboard during storms. I came close a couple times. I like viewing the ocean from the beach. I watched Greyhound a few times. Gave me the willies. One of the scariest destroyer scenes though is in The Caine Mutiny. As far a things going south in a hurry more than once we "disrupted" Russia ships and I though "Uh oh, here we go". Memories. I could go on all day, but I won't. ;)
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Kevin Hughes
11/06/2023Aloha Lee,
Kathy and I just watched the movie: " Greyhound" staring Tom Hanks. I don't know how you guys did it on those Destroyers. I have done a bunch of Cruises, but those ships have stabilizers and stay away from bad weather! LOL.
And I fully understand not wanting to be trapped in a waterproof can, that might sink. When I was stationed in Germany and Korea...it is kind of the same feeling...that something could go wrong any second and then you are in deep dodo. Those poor guys over in Europe must be on the Highest Alert Status ever since the War in the Ukraine broke out...and now with the stuff in the Mideast...well, a lot of Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen are wondering if tomorrow is the day they go to war. And that takes a psychological toll too.
Happy Veteran's Day. And I hope you don't mind me saying I would love to be on a Destroyer...at dock!
Smiles, Kevin
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Lee Conrad
11/06/2023Thanks Kevin. You touched on all of it. And you are right, it didn't have to be a war zone. On the destroyer I served on from 1968 to 1970 the possibility of death, injury and terror were always around the corner. Being locked down in a watertight compartment during a raging storm gave me nightmares for years. Others of course went through worse in all the services and yes I too have heard their stories. Peace brother.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Gerald R Gioglio
11/19/2022Thanks, Lee. Too true...for too, too many lost and forget brothers and sisters. Nice piece. jg
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Gerald R Gioglio
11/20/2022You got me thinking, Lee...worked on homelessness issues back in a day. I think I'll follow up with a piece. Appreciate the inspiration. Peace, jg
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Shirley Smothers
11/19/2022Beautiful! Thoughtful! Thank you for sharing. My husband and I met a homeless veterean woman. She said her menatal health was bad and she couldn't work. Sad. Lovely poem.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Lillian Kazmierczak
11/18/2022That poem was just sad. That any veteran should feel that way is a poor state of affairs, especially in the US. Homeless shelters all over this country are full of veterans, not the way a nation should payback the men and women who gave up so much to keep ua all free and safe! Thank for bringing in this tp light in that poem.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Lillian Kazmierczak
11/06/2023Lee, I really enjoyed this poem, so well written and timely piece of writing! A well-deserved short story star of the week!
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Lillian Kazmierczak
11/18/2022This was very thought provoking! Congratulations on short story star of the day!
COMMENTS (11)