"Huurrah!" A gung ho Marine shouts as he passes me. The path is full of them today. Marines running to my left, Marines running to my right. But none of them, are you.
I'm alone. All alone. Stuck here without you, in this foreign place, full of foreign rules. And I hate, hate, hate it. Stick to the path! Don't go beyond the borders. Make sure you are indoors before dark. Always cover up. Don't even dream of going anywhere without an escort. Preferably a male.
Living backwards like this is just so frustrating. Damn it. You know me. Better than anyone else in the world. You knew I would come, knew it would be hard for me. But I know you, too. First to fight, always ready to charge off and stand up for what's right. Well, here I am. Seeing what you saw, eating what you ate, running where you ran and sleeping where you slept, all these months, without me. You were right. Living here is like being trapped in a beautiful all- inclusive Sandals resort. Except instead of the ocean safely blocking you in, it's an M-16 pointing in your face.
But I'm not going anywhere. Not without you. I can do stubborn too. Sit, stand, salute. Play by the rules. Then sit and wait some more. Time stands still and yet somehow manages to march on. Every day like the one before. I wait and wait for you.
Finally, you're here. My Marine is back. M-16s are going off, inside and outside my head. Bang, bang, bang. My Marine is back. But no longer will we push each other, running side by side. They fold up your flag and march it over in my direction. "Hurrah" I whisper, as they place it in my hands.
A sad and all too common occurrence, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteVery well written!
Thanks Mark.
DeleteBeautifully written. That flag is tough to hold and tougher still to hang upon the mantel. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteElsie
Absolutely. The sacrifice some are willing to make is tremendous. And one, I don't take lightly.
DeleteThat's so heart breaking. Prayers for all the soldiers and their families. God bless them for their sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteI agree Elizabeth- God bless them all for what they do.
DeleteWow! You managed to pack quite a lot into that short passage.
ReplyDeleteHiya Squid- Thanks. I did my best.
DeleteVery poignant.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Annalisa.
DeleteOmigosh that was beautiful and sad and heart-wrenching. Well done.
ReplyDeleteHi Ilima- thanks. Flash fiction is not a strong suit for me, I'm trying to remedy that.
DeleteThis hits close to home and weighs heavy on my heart. Except mine wasn't a Marine but a Soldier and it was my brother. What a beautiful piece Jaybird!
ReplyDeleteDani @ Entertaining Interests
#warriorminion
Aw, Dani! This hits close to home for me too, being married to a Marine. Sometimes, I feel such tremendous guilt that I still have my Marine, when so many others I know have lost theirs. I did, however, loose a sibling- and that is a pain I don't wish on anyone. Ever. My heart bleeds for you and the loss of your brother. xoxo
DeleteThis gave me chills and made me teary. So beautiful and well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much K.
DeleteVery moving piece, Jaybird.
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you Suzanne. I appreciate that.
DeleteI came by here early this morning and read this before any comments. I had to leave. Couldn't comment. It is beautifully written. BUT, heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry, I didn't mean to upset you so terribly! This is something that will always lay heavy on my heart too. Sometimes, writing about it helps me work it out.
DeleteOh, that was heartbreaking and beautiful, and made me cry. Thank you for sharing such wonderful writing.
ReplyDeleteHey T- sorry to make you cry. And thank you so much for your generous words about my writing. It really means a lot- and I appreciate it more than you know. Thanks!
DeleteI'm sad now.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry Michael. But don't worry, by tomorrow or the next day I'll be back to posting something ridiculous :)
DeleteThat was quite a post.
ReplyDeleteHi Sheena- Flash fiction is hard for me, but I tried my best here.
DeleteReally powerful, Jaybird! I was instantly there, scared, and living Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteWow, Joylene, thank you so much. I truly appreciate your response to my work.
DeleteJen that was so beautiful, and so sad. A really excellent piece. Thanks for sharing. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks Clare!
DeleteSad little story. Enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteJO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
I appreciate your comment Jo, thank you.
DeleteSo emotional. Well written.
ReplyDeleteHi Christine. Thanks a bunch!
DeleteThat is so sad!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is. But something that weighs heavy on my heart a lot.
DeleteBeautifully, painfully written. My heart is heavier today.
ReplyDeleteThank you ever so much Susan. I appreciate it. I just wrote the same thing to Alex, this is definitely something that weighs heavy on my heart too.
DeleteVery compelling, very emotional, and very sad.
ReplyDeleteI am awed that I inspired that kind of response from the dragon. Thanks!
DeleteOh! That's so sad!
ReplyDeleteI've been feeling so very sad and heart broken, over the past few days, I guess it came out in my writing. That's what helps me feel better.
DeleteExcellent post. Good job!
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel- nice to meet you. Thank you so much. I appreciate your comments.
Deletevery nice post
ReplyDeleteHey Adam- thanks a bunch.
DeleteHi from a fellow AtoZ blogger, I have featured your blog on my post today http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-h6
ReplyDeleteWow, really? I'm honored Rosie. I'll have to check it out. I really appreciate that. Thanks!
Delete