The Gates of Nothingness

by Ben Hawkins

Poem


Dwell in Hope

by Ben Hawkins

Poem


Answer to Our Youth

by Dennis O’Brien

Poem


What a Beauty

by Jack Tompkins

Sketch


Voices in the Sky

by Paul Nyerick

Array


Retail Blues

by Lynn Norton

Poem


LIFE FOR ME IN THE MILITARY

By Nicholas Spano, Army

Writing Type: Poem

Of course the records show.
I was no ordinary G.I. Joe
I joined the military in 1976, not a clue why I did.
Maybe just for kicks.
Or maybe because my Dad was a Vet.
But the time I spent in, I'd soon rather forget.
A big part of me always wanted to do right.
But the other said, ""Don't listen,"" and just wanted to fight.
My mind was messed up when I was a child.
Being raped as a little boy made me really wild.
My thinking was all wrong from that moment I see,
allowing this man to take advantage of me.
So much anger I held inside for years; I regret I decided
to hide.
MTU and PMU, the military did everything they could
to make me obey orders like I knew that I should.
They wanted a soldier ready for war.
But my mind was constantly saying, ""no way and no more.""
Always doing the opposite that I was told,
till I found myself in a legal hold.
I could not trust anyone from this horrible event,
and it was to the brig that I eventually went.
I bucked the system every chance I had,
from the beginning of basic training till my family was sad.
They knew the troubles I had been in,
but never knew why I always had to win.
I suffer each morning with great anticipation,
denying the fact that I need medication.
Today I thank God I'm making it through life
With help from the VA and also my wife.
Thank you Michael Mooney & Anger Management.

Somewhere a Woman Is Building an Ark

by Louise Eisenbrandt

Poem


Waves of Life

by Michele Johnson

Poem


Just for Today

by Michele Johnson

Poem


The Nurses and Staff of My VA Hospital

by Jeffrey Saarela

Poem


A 1984 Exception

by Katherine Iwatiw

Prose


Jamie and Roxy

by Richard Wangard

Prose