I was failing school; enlisted at seventeen. 
Made my parents proud.
At Camp Rilea, told I was going to war. 
Put training to use.
Landed in Kuwait, seven days before Hell’s gate. 
Always drive forward.
I entered Iraq; went across the Euphrates. 
Humbled by the past.
Time to go to work; complete strangers want you dead. 
Don’t get paid enough.
Patrol at night; the enemies are hidden.
Bomb explodes; the end.
My eyes open; fuck, truck is injured, I am not. 
Stay out of the kill zone.
Quick, replace Humvee; need to go back out ASAP 
To get hit again.
Came home in one piece; could not say the same for friends. 
I will honor them.
Nothing feels the same, adrenaline withdrawals. 
I must keep going.
I do not fit in, depressed, isolated. 
Shit, PTSD.
How do I survive…remember to enjoy life. 
Because I still live.