“The Poetry of PTSD”
Underneath this uniform,
Underneath this shell of courage,
Lies calcified nerves of steel.
Underneath this uniform,
Underneath the surface,
Lies a suppression of fear.
Underneath this uniform,
Underneath this tactical readiness,
Lies a tumultuous concoction of emotions.
Underneath this uniform,
Underneath this unparalleled bravery,
Lies a mother…
a father…. a daughter… a son….
Each of which demand their nerves back.
Each of which demand their fear back.
Each of which demand their emotions back.
Underneath this uniform,
Underneath this copper & wool,
Lies a wife… a husband… a friend… a person…
Each of which bleeds.
Each of which pains.
Each of which cry’s.
Each of which exists.
Underneath this uniform.
-Tom Ludlow