I was sure I had fallen asleep

The uniform I was wearing; pressed, polished and with no Irish pennants.

I was standing in my old unit.

All new faces. I was not known.

I walked through the hall and all moved right or left of my center.

My eyes glanced to see the butter bars on my corners.

What in the hell.

I now wake, walking forward in the Valley Of Death with my brothers from old.

We walk, we walk, we see, we move, we fight, we die, we retreat.

As I walk

The percussion and blast do not move me too knee, yet turn me.

I see there is no way out.

Hope, faith, belief is diminished in my desire to live.

I am in Katie’s home

We must go now I say, the enemy is near.

Katie leave the animals behind.

K’s response is slow and inactive to the moment and danger.

I must strip myself of all I know now.

I must walk a path of being else.

For the enemy has overcome through the valley of Death.

They are here and I will be over there.

Until I return.

Written by

Dale Edward Van Oxon