Ptsd Poem by Jennifer Matthews

Paralyzing fear envelops you in the
murky, dark world that you cling to.
Afraid of what you may see when you
open your eyes in the thick jungles
where those who perished still haunt
the lands.

You tremble, seizures of guilt and shame
wrap around you like the American flag you
hang so proudly, in honor of your service
and in memory of those who didn't make the
journey with you. You are the limbs that they
lost, as you tread through this world of
illusion. But the light is real, and so is
your struggle.

The light that you so desperately want to welcome
and warm you is at your command, but that
darkness, a world we most pray never to see, in your
own dreams and memories, protect you, a cloak; an armor
that shields you from others who see you as something
less than what you are. You are not damaged remains
returning from the depths of hell, but instead a hero
standing resolute, like the hills and beaches you
protected.

Forgive yourself, as you are more than the trigger
finger that shot at the enemy and the innocents that
stood beside them.
Those of us you fought for, welcome you out of the dark,
and into the world of light that you have earned a place in.
We thank you and for all you gave.

5/29/14