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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.
Loved how the routines from the family with the soldier are synchronised which creates a bond. Well done
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
Deletepain is what both have, but that binds them together
ReplyDeleteHi 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.
DeleteA haunting write..very powerful
ReplyDeleteHi Jae, I am glad you thought so. Thank you for your kind comment.
DeleteI think if we can just end all these horrible wars, they can be together...
ReplyDeleteThat would be good. Thank you for your comment.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary, I'm glad you enjoyed the poem and I'm glad I conveyed something of their separate and joint realities.
DeletePowerfully written, John.
ReplyDeleteHi Sanaa, thank you for your kind comment.
DeleteTwo 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.
ReplyDeleteHi Julian, Thanks for your kind comment. I am glad You enjoyed the poem.
DeleteIt 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.
ReplyDeleteHi 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.
Deletesuch telling contrasts with these parallel lives of conflict and peace - lovely ending the way thoughts connects them
ReplyDeleteHi Telltaletherapy, Thank you for your kind comment, I am glad you enjoyed the poem.
DeleteTwo worlds running in parallel, yet connected. I would prefer if we could live in peace.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both Brudberg, Thank you for your comment.
DeleteI love the mix of the family routines. Love the brave dog sitting to indicate.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry, Thanks for your comment. I have written a couple of poems to celebrate service dogs. They and their handlers are amazing.
DeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteHi Indybev, thank you both for your kind comment and your reminder.
DeleteInteresting juxtaposition of connected lives. Works very well.
ReplyDeleteHi Paul, Thank you for your kind comment. I'm glad you liked it.
DeleteThis piece winds together so beautifully--it is the little things in life that can bring us closer together--
ReplyDeleteHi Audrey, Thank you I am glad you thought so.
DeleteThis really is amazing...reminding me how a simple act in my world has a parallel more dangerous ramification in theirs.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna, thank you for your kind comment. I am so glad you liked the poem.
DeleteKnowing 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.
ReplyDeleteHi Magaly, Thank you for your comment, you are right; food, shower and of course mail are all real morale boosters.
DeleteGod bless you, all the soldiers, and their families as they live this parallel existence. It is lonely for both.
ReplyDeleteHi Toni, Thank you for both your kind comment and the well wishes to service personnel around the world.
DeleteThis is brilliantly constructed. And gave me pause. Great job on this!
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, Thank you for your kind comment, I am glad you liked it..
DeleteThe tragedies (for there are two here) beautifully conveyed with no need for spelling right out. The contrasts say it all.
ReplyDeleteHi Rosemary, thank you for your kind comment, I am glad you liked the poem..
DeleteIn 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.
ReplyDeleteHi 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.
Deleteloved this...the way you wrote brings out the contrast and the going...like mirroring...strange life....!!
ReplyDeleteHi Sreeja, thank you for your kind comment.
Delete