Recorded (3:10): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tnfow8r1q6w0tli329yg9/Sharing-War-Stories.mp3?rlkey=xqozlzelx2pxbzx3s035lvu12&dl=0

*****

Sharing War Stories

I know how you are feeling
Because I have been there too
Just so you know we others
Are no better and no worse than you

We all go through the hardest times!
In the midst of which
Sometimes we just want to reach up
And pull that “all off” switch

That’s when we feel the loneliest
Like nobody ever has
Been to where we are right now
Where everything that ever was

A part of our poor presently
Self despised sweet soul
Has been left in fragments
Seem can never be made whole

I know, I know you hopeless feel
And helpless and despairing, when
You seem to find no reason
Even to begin again

You think that everything you try
Is predestined to fail
That over such resistance
You never can prevail

My goodness, I’ve been so far down
I couldn’t even think of up!
Just gazed at all those bitter lees
Forlornly in my loving cup

And — guess what? Here, my friend
Is what I want to say:
That you have every righteous right
To absolutely feel that way!

Just look at what you’ve been through
And yet you still survive ~
A weaker individual
Might not even be alive!

It’s true you’ve had more than you ought
Yes, more, it seems, than your fair share
Lately of discouragement
Setbacks, sorrow, care

No one will blame you if you now
A bit freshemmeled are —
Just do us all a favor and
Don’t let it go too far

You see, although at times like these
You think that you are not
Worth much at all, to all your friends
You’re still worth a whole lot

It isn’t that you have to smile
Or entertaining be
It’s just that we all simply like
Your plain old company!

The way you quirk your cheek
When someone says something too true
The way you’re not ever unfair
We intimate companions to

The way that you don’t go around
Cutting other people down
The way that you don’t even like
To see your loved ones frown

There’s so much good about you
I can’t even get a start
On all the good in this good world
Of which you are a part!

I’ll tell you what — let’s take a walk
Together on the town
And see if we can’t lighten up
That too-despairing frown

Resolving to, together
Banish it herewith —
So glad we have each other
To share war stories with!

*****

This poet presently lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

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