Seasons of Change
Viewing comments for Chapter 23 "Seasons of the Mind - IV"A collection of 30 poems in thirty days
17 total reviews
Comment from karenina
Right about now I'm clapping myself on the back for having such excellent taste I chose to fan you some time ago! (smile)
Veterans, more than most, seem to be trapped in a cycle of dreams (dare I say nightmares?) that unfortunately are all too real.
I know of few who truly talk about their every experience of war. How does one do that and remain connected to the soul that existed before the battle?
Yet of all men--should it not be these fine patriots who have earned a peaceful rest?
Karenina
reply by the author on 02-May-2023
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Right about now I'm clapping myself on the back for having such excellent taste I chose to fan you some time ago! (smile)
Veterans, more than most, seem to be trapped in a cycle of dreams (dare I say nightmares?) that unfortunately are all too real.
I know of few who truly talk about their every experience of war. How does one do that and remain connected to the soul that existed before the battle?
Yet of all men--should it not be these fine patriots who have earned a peaceful rest?
Karenina
Comment Written 02-May-2023
reply by the author on 02-May-2023
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Yes indeed. When I began therapy a wise female therapist told me stay away from the Veterans Clubs, find new friends -- CRY LOUDLY and often until you only have tears of Joy! I took her advice!
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Similarly, when I worked on the locked ward of the 'Nam vets PTSD unit a very wise old man used to challenge each man there to "Cry as hard as they laugh." --
So may tried to hide their trauma with false bravado...
The lucky ones learned that every soul is broken in some way...and will mend stronger than before in God's time.
Comment from Sarah Das Gupta
A very relevant issue at this time. Post traumatic stress is a curse which many struggle with, often for many years! Certainly in UK this is still true of experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf conflicts.
reply by the author on 24-Apr-2023
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A very relevant issue at this time. Post traumatic stress is a curse which many struggle with, often for many years! Certainly in UK this is still true of experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf conflicts.
Comment Written 24-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 24-Apr-2023
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Sarah, yes, unfortunate. Most homeless veterans in the US are in terrible straights. I hope your government is doing a better job treating your heroes!
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I think the situation is as bad!
Comment from Charles W. Johnson
Wonderful rhyme and rhythm. Your word choices are interesting and active and full of imagery. All of which combine to create a description of PTSD that effortlessly sucks the reader in and makes him part of the experience. Well done.
reply by the author on 24-Apr-2023
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Wonderful rhyme and rhythm. Your word choices are interesting and active and full of imagery. All of which combine to create a description of PTSD that effortlessly sucks the reader in and makes him part of the experience. Well done.
Comment Written 23-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 24-Apr-2023
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Charles, thank you
Comment from dragonpoet
Hi Jim,
This poem flow well and is full of the emotions of a vet that is suffering from PTSD with nightmares about the war. It is sad that so many have to suffer for the rest of their lives sometimes. It does show that their are some 'normal' days and night. It is good you found such an apt piece of artwork for illustrating your words.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Joan
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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Hi Jim,
This poem flow well and is full of the emotions of a vet that is suffering from PTSD with nightmares about the war. It is sad that so many have to suffer for the rest of their lives sometimes. It does show that their are some 'normal' days and night. It is good you found such an apt piece of artwork for illustrating your words.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Joan
Comment Written 23-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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Joan, thank you, Jim
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My pleasure, Jim.
Joan
Comment from Ginda Simpson
How sad to think of how many soldiers go to bed at night only to revisit the nightmare of war. Even if they manage their daytime thoughts to be serene, this is the unfair, tragic aftermath of war. God bless our veterans.
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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How sad to think of how many soldiers go to bed at night only to revisit the nightmare of war. Even if they manage their daytime thoughts to be serene, this is the unfair, tragic aftermath of war. God bless our veterans.
Comment Written 23-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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Yes, and thank you, never do we say, thank you, enough.
Comment from Julie Lau
A well-constructed poem, although I must admit I never like the practice of rhyming two words, one with an 's' and one without. I refuse to do it, myself. However... You have depicted so well the man whose life has become a dichotomy between his waking and sleeping hours, owing to past horrific experiences. Well done.
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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A well-constructed poem, although I must admit I never like the practice of rhyming two words, one with an 's' and one without. I refuse to do it, myself. However... You have depicted so well the man whose life has become a dichotomy between his waking and sleeping hours, owing to past horrific experiences. Well done.
Comment Written 23-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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Thank you.
Comment from lyenochka
Thank you for giving us an inkling of what vets go through when they have suffered PTSD. Even the lightning storm isn't just a natural phenomenon but "A flash of war at night, his doom" because those traumatic memories have "enslaved his mind." Beautifully rendered!
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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Thank you for giving us an inkling of what vets go through when they have suffered PTSD. Even the lightning storm isn't just a natural phenomenon but "A flash of war at night, his doom" because those traumatic memories have "enslaved his mind." Beautifully rendered!
Comment Written 23-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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Thank you very much. I continue to cast a light on the crippling unseen wounds harboring in the souls of far too many veterans of every nation.
Comment from Wendy G
The trauma of war and PTSD is particularly difficult during the night, and your poem reflects this well. All veterans from all countries are victims of this horror that they have experienced. We have ANZAC Day on Tuesday and remember our servicemen and women as well as the ones who never returned. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this moving poem.
Wendy
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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The trauma of war and PTSD is particularly difficult during the night, and your poem reflects this well. All veterans from all countries are victims of this horror that they have experienced. We have ANZAC Day on Tuesday and remember our servicemen and women as well as the ones who never returned. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this moving poem.
Wendy
Comment Written 22-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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Thank you very much. I continue to cast a light on the crippling unseen wounds harboring in the souls of far too many veterans of every nation.
Comment from Gloria ....
This is a very well rhymed and metred poem, J. I agree with you in recognizing veterans.
Your vivid imagery brings this poem right to life.
Many thanks for sharing.
Gloria
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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This is a very well rhymed and metred poem, J. I agree with you in recognizing veterans.
Your vivid imagery brings this poem right to life.
Many thanks for sharing.
Gloria
Comment Written 22-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023
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Gloria, Thank you very much. I continue to cast a light on the crippling unseen wounds harboring in the souls of far too many veterans of every nation.
Comment from patcelaw
If we have never been in a war, we never really truly understand just what the men and women who do fight in those wars go through. Many of them carry with them sights and sounds of real terror. I enjoyed your poem very much. Patricia.
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2023
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If we have never been in a war, we never really truly understand just what the men and women who do fight in those wars go through. Many of them carry with them sights and sounds of real terror. I enjoyed your poem very much. Patricia.
Comment Written 22-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2023
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Patricia, thank you for your comment. This reflection is why, I thank every veteran that I see. Most people will never understand the importance of this.