Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Hell.

death surrounds them 

emotion runs rampant

attempting indifference

they set aside feelings

go about the business 

of putting bodies back together ..

broken bodies with gaping wounds, turgid limbs

they’ve been taught how to manage this

accepting some will live, others not ..

physical wounds heal

emotional wounds linger.





 

Posted by Helen at 3:15 PM
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19 comments:

  1. JadeLiFebruary 2, 2021 at 4:15 PM

    Imagining how many would have never made it back without them. Nice tribute poem to the healers, Helen.

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  2. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderFebruary 2, 2021 at 5:05 PM

    Dearest Helen,
    Indeed, that is a peak straight into hell for all those present.
    Those that try to patch up the gravely wounded will be forever left too with emotional scars.
    And always dealing with a lack on everything needed, for saving more...
    Those that come back home with a maimed body, have to once again deal with emotional scars – often ones of rejection by those that used to love them.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

    ReplyDelete
  3. kaykualaFebruary 2, 2021 at 5:29 PM

    physical wounds heal
    emotional wounds linger

    The realities of war often forgotten but linger on are the emotional state of those who went and the family members back home. Yes, Helen no reason not to hate it!

    Hank

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  4. robkistnerFebruary 2, 2021 at 5:36 PM

    Oh gawd Helen, so so very true. Well writtdn.

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  5. Roslyn RossFebruary 2, 2021 at 6:49 PM

    horrifically relevant

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  6. TriciaFebruary 2, 2021 at 7:52 PM

    A powerful peek into the minds of those heroes. The picture keeps it all frozen in time. 💔

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  7. JennaFebruary 2, 2021 at 9:24 PM

    It's hard to "like" this, but it's a well-written poem.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mrityunjay DixitFebruary 3, 2021 at 12:01 AM

    A powerful and touching piece, Helen, with a very fitting title.

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  9. Kim M. RussellFebruary 3, 2021 at 12:05 AM

    A powerful poem, Helen. No wonder MASH was so popular, it took the strong out of the horror.

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    Replies
    1. Merril D. SmithFebruary 3, 2021 at 2:34 PM

      My uncle was in a MASH unit. From what my cousin says, a lot of craziness portrayed in the show was how it was.

      Delete
  10. ben AlexanderFebruary 3, 2021 at 1:39 AM

    "gaping wounds, turgid limbs"

    this really made me cringe.

    -David

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  11. IngridFebruary 3, 2021 at 1:55 AM

    I think the emotional wounds must cut deepest of all. Sadly they are the ones that others cannot see nor understand. A beautifully sensitive poem.

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  12. KerfeFebruary 3, 2021 at 5:07 AM

    War is not just soldiers. The collateral damage runs deep. Beautifully said.

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  13. Ron. LavaletteFebruary 3, 2021 at 9:28 AM

    As always, life-savers make all the difference. Not that anything can make the wounds of war ever fully heal, but...

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  14. Sanaa RizviFebruary 3, 2021 at 10:59 AM

    I think it is the emotional lingering wounds that are the most difficult to deal with. This is such a powerful write, Helen.

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  15. brudbergFebruary 3, 2021 at 12:16 PM

    The medical corps might often end up those who hurt the most. Maybe they are the true heroes... but how will mend a broken heart?

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  16. Merril D. SmithFebruary 3, 2021 at 2:28 PM

    I think those emotional wounds must linger forever. Those who heal without regard to their own safety are truly heroes.

    ReplyDelete
  17. lillianthehomepoet.wordpress.comFebruary 4, 2021 at 6:23 AM

    I think we often forget that medics fight in war as well....and see and deal with the real hell of war. And yes....so many times the physical wounds can be bound up...but the emotional wounds can last as long as the prosthetic given to an amputee.

    ReplyDelete
  18. purplepeninportland.comFebruary 6, 2021 at 11:47 AM

    There are those healers who do their best with wounds, and limbs. Most of the emotional damage is not spoken of.

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate each of you and the comments you leave ~~ thanks so much.

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