“Tell me something old friend: why are you fighting?”
A lotta truth’s inside the barrel of a gun. Truth is I used to crave it.
This last deployment’s like livin in a blow dryer. I’m gonna end up sleepin in a chiller anyway. May as well get a medal for it.
More or less a true story for the Gargleblaster. I swiped some of these phrases from a friend.
Succinct. Poignant.
Thank you, sir. 🙂
I’ve known too many people come back wishing they were dead.
I know exactly what you mean.
This one stirs up a lot of emotion. I immediately thought of my cousin…after two tours in Afghanistan, he’s scarred. He’s headed down a terrible path of destruction before he reaches his final end. If only he could see PTSD is real…
I’m so sorry, Janna. I hope your cousin gets help.
Another truth spoken on this site. I will leave off the ramble I could do. I didn’t post for this today but I do have a 42 word blog here. Oh shit – this will haunt me all day.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I’d like to read your 42-word post. Go ahead, haunt me back.
Haunting 42!
Funny, because I imagined it more as a realistic commentary. Thanks for reading!
There are lots of reasons to be done…
My 6 yr old has started listening to Billy Joel lately and loves “Goodnight Saigon” not knowing the harrowing stories behind that song and how I think of my dad , long dead, but scarred and broken by that war. Proud and yet, split up the middle somehow.
I heard a voice in my head while reading it; a boy that reluctantly needs to be a man.
Thanks, Kir. You got the voice just right.
chilling.
I was hoping someone would go this route – someone who could do it more justice than me. I love the honesty.
This is real life here.
Ooof, grim. But not a surprising point of view, unfortunately. Great voice, even if it’s a tough story. Thanks for linking it up.
Thanks, Christine. Word has it this soldier has a wife and kids waiting for him to arrive safely at home, so not so grim after all.
Makes me think of a bunch of guys who got chewed up and spit out in Iraq and Afghanistan.
yeesh, girl, heavy stuff. great voice
Wow…
Very powerful 42 words.
Intense. Gives us a lot to think about. Well done!
striking end to this piece! My father was in vietnam, I heard many horrible stories. I can totally get the emotions of your characters here.