I don’t write poetry. I suppose I used to be able to say that. Can’t say it anymore though, because there’s this.
I went on a cruise a and met some cool people. One of them was a veteran like me. He was a full steam ahead veteran versus my more laid back and “I could care less about being a veteran” style. This guy had cargo pants bloused neatly into combat boots, t-shirts with guns and hooah sayings on them and a nice neat haircut. He may have gotten out of the Army, but he didn’t leave it far behind. This man was the walking-talking bumper sticker of post-service, and also very kind. He noticed my tattoos and started a conversation and immediately questioned about my service.
Through the conversation, he invited me to the veterans appreciation event. I, of course, told him I would go and had absolutely NO intention of following through. I was being nice and avoiding conflict. Then, about fifteen minutes before it started, I was walking down to my cabin to join my wife and son for a nap. This very enthusiastic veteran bumped into me and asked me if I was headed to the military appreciation event. Not wanting to look like the liar I intended to be, I went.
I met some wonderful people and heard stories of survival, strength and heroism. The world is often full of people that are better than I ever expect them to be. Listening to them moved me, motivated me. I felt I should share something.
I shared the ‘ahem’ poem Septic.
After reading it, every veteran in the room lined up to give me a hug. A bunch asked for copies of it. Then, over the next two days people offered to pay for my drinks everywhere I went. It was the first time I could see how what I wrote would affect others.
Here is a reading of the poem below.
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Damn….powerful man. In helping yourself, you’re helping others; in helping others you’re helping yourself. Thank you!
Thank you so much! It’s time for me to participate in the success of the world around me! I just want to do what I can!
Omg….so powerful…so…true, but expressed in ways I could not do with emotion I will never experience. Why? Because you did it for me. You and the many many soldiers that fight and lost their life. Because of you…and them…I live. Thank you.
Thank you so very much for the kind words. Very appreciated!!
Awesome Brother! I think I told you before, which brought up my friend Rick, that I also sponsor Lift For The 22 with free gym memberships. Miss you man!
Miss you brother!!!!
Spellbinding.. awesome… sad.. truthful… from an exArmy wife I salute you and your efforts to not become “septic” and your efforts for others.. sending healing hugs from a Viet Nam era Army wife
Very powerful stuff Ug!! Hope u are doing well brother.
Doing great in life. Miss my old friends!
Wow! So heavy but beautiful at the same time- the raw emotion and realness is unlike anything I’ve ever seen/read. Thanks for letting us in.
Thank you so very much!
here are some tears from your dad.
Love you Dad!
“Hurt cripples, hate motivates”.
Word.
Love this brother, see you around soon.
JJ
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