PTSD

by Jon Turner

the fibers torn
are memories of gun battle
where bullets scream Allah
and the deafening song of explosions
dance where human flesh
once stood
There have been nightmares
that had made more sense, but
when dreams are reality
and clarity is non-apparent,
the gunpowder
sacred to our veins
is by all means the means of expression
when true meaning is burnt crisp, and
the screams fending for themselves
are still alone
in the desert

Jon Turner has used poetry and other forms of creative expression to understand his wartime experience in Iraq. He served two tours of duty in Iraq as an infantryman with the marines, as well as a humanitarian mission in Haiti in 2004. Currently Jon lives in Vermont with his family, working to build sustainable food operations with local farmers while further transcribing his memories with veterans.