Sunday 29 June 2014

Just Another Morning

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I was thinking about the periods of separation faced by military families and in particular how the minutia of routines might mirror each other despite living in different environments.

These thoughts sparked the following poem, I hope you like it.

Just Another Morning

She ties laces on scuffed school shoes,
he shakes bugs from his boots.
She packs a lunch into a pink rucksack
he stuffs batteries and ammo.
She climbs into a family run-around,
whilst he climbs into a Mastiff.
Dodge traffic on a school run
dodge pot-holes, donkeys and IEDs.
Their radios play the latest hits
but in his world; the hits, hurt.
Kids dropped, weekly shop,
patrol through a crowded market.
walk the dog, back home for coffee,
canine sits to indicate, *
time slows
and thoughts turn to each other.

John Carré Buchanan
29 June 2014


* Sniffer dogs are trained to sit to indicate that they have found an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

If you click on the link below you can listen to me read this poem.



This poem is linked to Poets United.

42 comments:

  1. Loved how the routines from the family with the soldier are synchronised which creates a bond. Well done

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment Marja. Thinking about what folk at home were doing was something I often did during 'down time' when I was on ops.

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  2. pain is what both have, but that binds them together

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    1. Hi Vandana, Thank you for your comment, I like to think that it is love that they both have, as when the chips are down they think of each other.

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  3. A haunting write..very powerful

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    1. Hi Jae, I am glad you thought so. Thank you for your kind comment.

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  4. I think if we can just end all these horrible wars, they can be together...

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    1. That would be good. Thank you for your comment.

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  5. I really enjoyed the style of this poem - the parallels between the two lives. You really gave us a glimpse of both of their realities...and perhaps the loneliness they both experience being apart for this time. I hope they both stay safe.

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    1. Thank you Mary, I'm glad you enjoyed the poem and I'm glad I conveyed something of their separate and joint realities.

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  6. Two worlds that are so far apart, however you brought together a sense of oneness that is cemented in your closing line. Good read here ,John.

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    1. Hi Julian, Thanks for your kind comment. I am glad You enjoyed the poem.

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  7. It would be difficult being married to someone in the defence forces or even someone who was away a lot. The women must feel very lonely even though they have families.This poem made me feel a little sad.

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    1. Hi Rallentanda, Thank you for your kind comment. It is certainly a very different lifestyle and one that places great demands on families. I guess each to their own and also Love will out.

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  8. such telling contrasts with these parallel lives of conflict and peace - lovely ending the way thoughts connects them

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    1. Hi Telltaletherapy, Thank you for your kind comment, I am glad you enjoyed the poem.

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  9. Two worlds running in parallel, yet connected. I would prefer if we could live in peace.

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    1. You and me both Brudberg, Thank you for your comment.

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  10. I love the mix of the family routines. Love the brave dog sitting to indicate.

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    1. Hi Sherry, Thanks for your comment. I have written a couple of poems to celebrate service dogs. They and their handlers are amazing.

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  11. We each need to be reminded, as we walk in our comfortable shoes, that there are others for whom the norm is vastly opposite. You've presented the dichotomy beautifully.

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    1. Hi Indybev, thank you both for your kind comment and your reminder.

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  12. Interesting juxtaposition of connected lives. Works very well.

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    1. Hi Paul, Thank you for your kind comment. I'm glad you liked it.

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  13. This piece winds together so beautifully--it is the little things in life that can bring us closer together--

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    1. Hi Audrey, Thank you I am glad you thought so.

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  14. This really is amazing...reminding me how a simple act in my world has a parallel more dangerous ramification in theirs.

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    1. Hi Donna, thank you for your kind comment. I am so glad you liked the poem.

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  15. Knowing that life at home is as normal as it can be is what keep the ones dodging the IED's motivated (and alive). It sure is a dance. Few things are as satisfying as making that phone call when one can. Well, taking a shower (and eating something fresh and hot) after several days is good too.

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    1. Hi Magaly, Thank you for your comment, you are right; food, shower and of course mail are all real morale boosters.

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  16. God bless you, all the soldiers, and their families as they live this parallel existence. It is lonely for both.

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    1. Hi Toni, Thank you for both your kind comment and the well wishes to service personnel around the world.

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  17. This is brilliantly constructed. And gave me pause. Great job on this!

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    1. Hi Wendy, Thank you for your kind comment, I am glad you liked it..

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  18. The tragedies (for there are two here) beautifully conveyed with no need for spelling right out. The contrasts say it all.

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    1. Hi Rosemary, thank you for your kind comment, I am glad you liked the poem..

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  19. In reading this fine poem I thought perhaps how much it hurt to think of each other, and in his case knowing how dangerous it was to do so.

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    1. Hi Old Egg, thank you for your kind comment. In my experience it was normally a positive thing to do as long as you don't dwell on it.

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  20. loved this...the way you wrote brings out the contrast and the going...like mirroring...strange life....!!

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I really appreciate constructive feedback. If you are able to comment it would be most grateful.