Reaction 6: "War Within"

This week I would like to reflect on moments in war when a soldier is faced not just with the physical issues but the inward, logistical, and personal issues. Inspiration comes this week from the poems I read with the themes of ‘war’ in mind including Robert Lowell’ “For the Union Dead” and Karl Shapiro’s “Troop Train.”

Much of what has and hasn’t been said will always remain hidden with the wells of one’s soul. Nonetheless, one must deal with these issues or forever face an immortal nightmare. While I was not in combat in the military per se, I was in a combat all my own.

October of 2015 I had a lot of issues with my unit between harassment, disregard of my heritage, and religious bias. My life flipped over, just as suddenly as the Troop Train did during World War II. And like Lowell’s message and perspective of a horror story from a soldier, I have one to tell as well… but that is for another day. Today is another poem I would like to simply call “War Within”

“War Within”

The War,
It rages,
It burns,
It destroys.

But nothing can stop its flame,
Until you find a way.
The war within is
Always outside of us,
Even when we
Are looking in.

If War can cause chaos,
So peace can cause war.
This is the mentality,
Of the Prisoners
Of War.

But the war within,
Rages and burns,
Destroys and devours,
All of our soul.

Nothing can stop it,
At least with force.
But give it some life,
And maybe you’ll lose,
Remorse.

War Within,
Never without,
If one takes his soul,
Through the iron Hels of doubt.