...interminable nightmare.

His face had been full

of expectation and joy

when he left for the distant land

the shadow that returned

did not speak of the experience

he kept the secret horror deep within

half the man had been left behind

the shell that returned with the haunted look

with the vacant eyes emptied of bravado

Terrors fears tribulation and anguish

are the daily bread of the emotionally drained.

They’d promised to make the boy a man

but the drunken wretch they returned was not long 

for this world, not long for this society

this country that now ignored him

stepping over the bundle of rags

trying to ignore the stench 

trying to ignore the responsibility

pretending he doesn’t exist

the tear stains the agony

the unbearable memories 

the bridge

the water far below

getting closer

the splash

the cold swirling 

encroaching blackness

replaced the traumatic 

recurring nightmare.