Labor Day in a Different Way

This poem is about Military Sexual Trauma and how the military silences the victims.

Blood
Need it
To see it
Release
Let blood flow
Show

Run down the skin
Proof of pain we're in
There's one thing
Here's another to use
Why do we have to choose

Just be calm
Let the anger go
The more we hold on
The more it will grow

Take it, pierce the flesh
Tissue expose
Heightened emotions
Thoughts arose
Thoughts of death
Thoughts of dying
But not for lack of trying

To move on, not remember
Make ash of burning ember
Try to forget that time and place
A new person
A new face

Labor Day Weekend
Years ago
Raped by the ocean
In Mexico
First SgT blamed us
Told us it was our fault
Drilled it in our brains
Pounded it in our hearts

Shhhh
Listen for the silence
Don't listen to the ocean wave
All that does is bring us closer to our grave
Regain focus
Regain control

Hocus-pocus
Mind goes tumbling
We're on a roll
Down the hill
Into the tide
What a nightmare
A scary intense ride

Last stop on the train
Time to catch the bus
So much mess in the brain
What a hell of a rush?