Poetry Train…


First off…stop by Michael Breyette’s website to check out more of his awesome artwork.

Just so you know some of the pictures are not safe for work or for kids, so maybe you should check it out after you get home and if you have children, where they can’t see. 🙂

So here’s my contribution to the train today. It’s not a poem. Just one of those little scenes I write from time to time.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

I stand, watching him walk away. Biting my tongue to keep from crying out. Normally, I don’t go with him when he leaves. The separation is hard on both of us, but hardly still for me because I can’t hug him or kiss him like the other spouses can their loved ones. He looks back once and I nod. Then he’s gone.

Turning, I walk away, left behind to spend a year alone again. No one will call to check and make sure I’m doing all right. No one thinks about the room mate. At least I’ll know if something happens to him since I’m listed as his emergency contact. Other than that, I’m nothing to the military he serves.

Somehow I make it home, fighting tears until I’m inside. I curl around his pillow and cry. Tomorrow, I’ll get up and be strong. I’ll survive the time apart. If he calls, I’ll be cheerful and if he doesn’t, I’ll remember how much he loves me. I’ll hold the memories of the tears he cried the night before he left tight in my heart. But today, I’ll cry and long to have him with me again.

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Stop by Rhian’s blog to check out who else is on the train today.

Have a great day.

7 Responses “Poetry Train…”

  1. AlteredAddict says:

    I’m in tears now — I HATE “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” It is bigger insult to bear IMO.

    My mothers partner when I was child was in the military LONG before ‘DADT’ and I wonder now how hard that must have been for her when she went TDA:-(

    Your poetry makes us all stop and think and if it doesn’t it should.

  2. T.A.Chase says:

    Thanks everyone.

    Gina, you’re right. it is wrong, but I’m hoping everyone will wise up and realize it doesn’t matter who our soldiers love because that doesn’t affect their fighting ability.

    Melissa and Valerie,

    I actually have a story titled Falling in Love…Again. It’s about Bobby and Jordan (I think..I can’t remember for sure what his name is). They were boyfriends in high school, but Jordan joined the Marines after graduation and they drifted apart. Tne years later, they hook back up. I’m thinking this scene might just fit that story. With a little change in the point of view. 🙂

  3. Melissa Bradley says:

    I am crying TA, tears all over the keyboard. You need to turn this beautiful scene into a story.

    This piece made me think of several friends and their desire to wed and be open. We raised a toast to California on Friday.

    Take care and have a great Monday.

  4. Valerie says:

    This is beautiful and stirring and so sad it makes my heart cry. Being from a military family and having a gay brother in law i know about the prejudices involved in being in the military. Although i’m happy to say that the attitudes are changing, it just is happening at military speed which is pretty slow.
    On the upside this would make a stunning book idea and outline.

  5. Julia Smith says:

    Very moving, T.A.

  6. Gina, Book Dragon says:

    this is wrong, so wrong…. I know that “life isn’t fair” but this is just plain wrong.

  7. Jill says:

    Now you made my heart ache! This should be very hard to not be able to say a real goodbye to your loved one because they cannot accept the fact that two men can love each other!
    Greatly done TA!

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