Warrior Poetry: Joy and Fear

By J.E. McCollough

Joy and fear would mix

In my mom’s voice

Every time I called her from Iraq.

I didn’t know what to say,

Except to lie.

To say I was safe.

How do you tell your mom

You almost died that day?

Comments

comments

3 Comments

1. 

   anon

   October 4, 2013 at 10:02 am

   I had a passing moment
   It went by in a blur
   It raised my pulse a little
   And caused a thrill of fear
   But moments like that are fleeting
   And soon they disappear
   The moment that I fear the most
   Is the one that comes to stay
   The moment when a stranger tells you
   That I have died today
   I don’t control the moments
   I just survive the ride
   Enjoying each precious passing moment
   Because I am alive
2. 

   Michael Highers

   October 5, 2013 at 9:53 pm

   I usually waited a few weeks then said, “oh yeah, I got blown up awhile back but its all good”
3. 

   Grok

   October 23, 2013 at 4:54 am

   In the same vein: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/13/write-a-love-letter-like-a-soldier/. Still waters run deep. Live this day as it might be your last.