Amazing writing, Zivah. I was really moved by this piece--and will go in for a second read. Deep sensitivity, awareness, and pain from your pen. I appreciated the focus on this topic. Such a nightmare.
There are parts I understand too well, and parts I can't. Maybe no one can, unless they've experienced it first hand. But feeling it? You make us do that so well. I'm chilled by the rain.
Powerful lines, Zivah! I instinctively read this fast like an Eminem diss track. After reading your notes, the speed and emphasis seemed fitting for hammering the message.
Haha! Thank you for the compliment! I’ve had this quandary with other people’s fiction and poetry before. I may have crossed the line a few times - and then run away 😂
This is so important. Thank you, Zivah. I felt every note you hit here was pitch perfect.
Have you heard of Dr. Jonathan Shay? He worked with veterans, particularly from the Vietnam War, who suffered moral injury. His books Odysseus in America and Achilles in Vietnam are profoundly moving. I give them ny highest recommendation.
He discusses how soldiers are expected to simply return and reintegrate themselves, and how this does not work for so many.
"lower than Hades, darker than Hell
a street life, a meek life, with the odd burst of shouting
surpasses a squaddie sticking the knife in
the guts of someone he’s not sure he’d be hating
if he were propped up at the bar with the girls and the guys
he fell for the shilling and deliberate lies of the government"
This hits so deeply in this present moment. 💜
Amazing writing, Zivah. I was really moved by this piece--and will go in for a second read. Deep sensitivity, awareness, and pain from your pen. I appreciated the focus on this topic. Such a nightmare.
Thank you. It’s a topic close to my heart for quite a few reasons. Which sometimes means I can’t write about it at all.
There are parts I understand too well, and parts I can't. Maybe no one can, unless they've experienced it first hand. But feeling it? You make us do that so well. I'm chilled by the rain.
Thank you so much. I can only understand it as a close bystander. But that’s still not going to be anything like experience for yourself.
Powerful lines, Zivah! I instinctively read this fast like an Eminem diss track. After reading your notes, the speed and emphasis seemed fitting for hammering the message.
I’m glad you read it that way - that was the intention. I’m all for an Eminem read out.
Oh good! I remember the first time watching video of poetry readings and everybody talked soooo slow like they wanted me to fall asleep. 🤣
Oh god, no! Poetry’s supposed to wake you up!
Hard hitting reality Zivah. I have taken care of so many Vets in the ER. The PTSD is so real.
Thank you. Yes, PTSD is horrendous.
I wanna restack quote that Justice is swerved line, it’s so good, but I don’t wanna take away the impact it has at the end lol
Haha! Thank you for the compliment! I’ve had this quandary with other people’s fiction and poetry before. I may have crossed the line a few times - and then run away 😂
This is so important. Thank you, Zivah. I felt every note you hit here was pitch perfect.
Have you heard of Dr. Jonathan Shay? He worked with veterans, particularly from the Vietnam War, who suffered moral injury. His books Odysseus in America and Achilles in Vietnam are profoundly moving. I give them ny highest recommendation.
He discusses how soldiers are expected to simply return and reintegrate themselves, and how this does not work for so many.
Thank you, Jeremy.
No, I haven’t heard of him, but I feel like I should. I’m adding those books to my list - they definitely sound like they belong in my library.
I learned a great deal from them. And I found Shay's use of Homer extremely meaningful.
Thank you for the recommendations.
You're most welcome.
"the guts of someone he’s not sure he’d be hating "
Yeah, pretty much. Nicely done.
Thank you, Josh.