The Incarcerated Veteran

By Jeffery Shockley





Can we the condemned inside these confines agree we all have lived in moments where the darkest days come after the brightest moments of time? Enduring in this life lived that can give hope to another who struggles as we did yet may never see eye to eye because of the strength they wish to see in themselves, going through the same battlefield in hell.



	* Can we see relatively together this life is not about me but for the grit of me given to society beyond the reality yesterday was filled with possibilities not taken advantage of but of who was taken advantage of physically, financially, where now spiritually we try to rectify those acts of selfish respite.

	* 

Within that, each personal mystery might see we can be more than what is thought of us collectively and individually. In spite of what is said of us, read of us, because of us, still we try to be that better version of ourselves beyond the yesterday that got us here.



Without strengthening of mind, body and soul, what would remain but the same pains and strained relationships? What would be gained by this? Or likewise, with half-opened eyes what is left of the very changes we've created in the time done in this forever changing, painfully remaining same game of correctional duplicity if we live uselessly in its history and not the redeeming equality of who we have become?



Where some would say it won't be done, could not be for some who hold old wounds from injuries past. Dare we prove them wrong and remain stronger than anyone thought we could be or certainly should be as we collectively come together even where society is never desiring for some of us to be let free from this space we apparently were destined to be by the injurious acts some will never forgive or forget.



Time spent will never replace time spent, but hope springs eternal, and being as soldiers we remain set aside cited differences from the wars we keep alive inside our own heart and mind. Rewind the times that reminds the world we are Veterans and live as so.



I am a Veteran. I have seen and done things you may not understand.

I am a warrior, I will never accept defeat.

I will never leave a fallen brother or sister behind.

If I can't carry them, I will drag them.

I will help them face their enemies, to include the demons from within.

They are, we are our brothers & our sisters. I am a Veteran!