pitch to an inch of panic
my boat in calm water nosing into a swell
sudden as a stranger at the door
i can’t tell to go and have to answer
with a reach for the back of the nearest chair
age bad luck stress take your pick
film of a two-inch furrow
(red-ringed for the amateur)
partial eclipse ploughed neat in my head
i shall scour this trench clean
of comparisons with other days
roll its barbed wire to a peacetime ball
flush the mustard gas rats and fungus
and over the top plant a field of fresh herbs
and from my deepest pocket take poppy seeds
to set and grow to scarlet acres
johnpoetflanagan 
Wow, how vividly this brings to life the experience of a veteran still suffering the wounds of war. Thank you, John. Really powerful work.
Thank You
Laura
for such a fine comment.
Yes, there’s struggle and it’s a form of war
but this is personal
Bless You!
john
I certainly feel the struggle here, John. But I also sense that there is no resistance…that whatever it is…is allowed to be…acknowledged…and then get on with the rest. Wishing you peace and love! ♡
Such an astute response, Lorrie,
so insightful.
Thank You very much
Much love
john
♡♡
So honest and so encouraging. It makes me want to take my petty (by comparison) barbed wire and roll it “into a peacetime ball” too. Thank you, John.
Wonderful response, Joan, just wonderful
Thank You
Much love
john
The kind of introspection that comes only from boots-on-the-ground experience. It is at once a revelation and a resignation. A closing of one door and an opening of another. A promise to live on in whatever beautiful way one can.
Such a warm, insightful response
Dear Gina
Thank You
Much love
john
Well, the wartime spirit is most certainly alive and fighting in your sangfroid attitude, dearest John. These deeply personal and honest lines are heart-breaking, yet give great hope. Life is one huge struggle and only the very strong survive. I have no doubt you will most definitely overcome, scattering many a fertile herb which will bloom and pay tribute to you, your unique character, humanity and humility.
This is such a wonderful response, Angela, Friend,
i’m savouring every word.
Big hugs
john
John my dear friend, the living and experiencing of life and its inherent challenges, physical, imagined and factual burden al of us, but some seem destined to experience the most challenging, least rewarding. This trench of a million hardships, this physical impediment to the vast scores of delights and inanely joyous events you might otherwise avail yourself sans the trench, have none the less given you insights none of us could expect to hold let alone evaluate and share with others. A magnificent human experience shared with poetic finesse to die for. Ever your friend, Jon Michael
Beautifully written commentary
Jon, My Friend
with insight, warmth and wisdom
Ever Your Friend
john
A deeply moving and powerfully straightforward piece of writing John. Life can surely hand us a lot to deal with. Sending a big hug and love to you!
Thank You, Holly, thank you so much
Always with love
john
Such an intense struggle, John. May those poppy seeds create a clean slate anew.
blessings ~ maxi
Beautifully positive response
Dear Maxi
Thank You
Big hugs
john
A powerful write. A good reminder of the men who make sacrifices for our freedom and way of life.
Such a fine comment
Thank You
Always with my best
john
I embrace Lorries response above John … ” the deepest pocket ” of your soul transforming ….thank you my dear friend , love , megxxx
Such a fine response, Meg
Thank You very much
Big hugs
john
It is a lifetime of managing through the scars of war and remembrances, the process of healing and moving slowly forward. Realizing both the struggles and strengths of having gone to places held long in aging memory and of those with our warriors today. Fields and cities may grow with new life and sounds ~ but I wonder why humanity does not seem to learn from the lessons of battle. Forces seem bent on breaking the worlds people – physically and mentally.
A quiet nod and tipping of my hat in thanks Uncle John, yes a profound and gratified thank you for the experiences you share here as you paint the images through your words.
A beautifully written commentary, Miss Mary
and i’m honoured to read it.
i appreciate this deeply.
Always
uncle john
Powerful images worth the pondering.
Thank You very much
Ever
john
Brother John –
Perfect lines to express the onslaught and pain of an incident in life either physical or mental:
sudden as a stranger at the door
i can’t tell to go and have to answer
with a reach for the back of the nearest chair
Like the way you turn the horror (using images of WWI) into something positive and beautiful:
i shall scour this trench clean
of comparisons with other days
roll its barbed wire to a peacetime ball
flush the mustard gas rats and fungus
and over the top plant a field of fresh herbs
and from my deepest pocket take poppy seeds
to set and grow to scarlet acres
Thank you
Brother David
for such a sensitive response.
Much love to You and Diane
Always
john
haunting, yet power-filled by hope i love the visual image of the brilliant wounded beauty of the crimson field
Eileen
You are more than generous
Thank You, Friend
Much love
john
You express amazing insight in this vicious piece. I really enjoyed the challenging atmosphere you dug up. 🙂
Many thanks for this fine comment.
always
john
Absolutely wonderful word craft once again John. You are such a remarkable study my friend.
Don, Friend
Thank You
Thank you very much for your ever so warm and encouraging words.
Best Always
john
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