Our Navy SEALS and other Special Ops units pay a terrible price for their extreme talent. They are exposed to sights and sounds the normal American citizen never considers. After hearing about a large number of SEALS being killed this week, and knowing a couple of former Special Ops folks myself, these are my thoughts about what they go through, and at what cost to their own mental health as they become vital cogs within the war machine. Peace, Amy
FORWARD MARCH, SPECIAL OPS
He pledges to hold sacred even the most seditious plans of the military.
His head is shaved ‘til every blond tuft falls to the floor.
He will tread the nether worlds to hinder whichever enemy is targeted.
His missions sporadic, vital;
he is enmeshed in that zone of adrenalin and HOO-AH!
Tonight, he’ll get plastered with his buddies to ward off the sting.
Years later, waking in tremor, he is haunted by
horrors executed at the bidding of men
who felt no stigma about
stirring the global pot to suit their needs
and those of their investors.
(c) 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For The Sunday Whirl (Wordle words in bold), Sunday Scribblings (Forward), and, as always, the poetic collective, Poets United.
Sharp Little Pencil 
gautami tripathy
Wonder usage of words..
hinder the tremors
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Gautami. I’ll check yours out – thanks for the direct link!
kaykuala
A fitting reminder of what they face. Interestingly those who don uniforms have already made their vow to fight to the last defending king and country. Those in civvy street cannot comprehend their mental make up. Very clever use of the wordle, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s what they face afterwards that concerns me most, Hank. We don’t take care of our troops, especially SEALS and the like, give them “down time” in a national park wtih psychiatrist and mental heath counselors. We just send them home and wonder why so many commit suicide, abuse spouses, or simply “plug into” society in a way that leaves them dysfunctional after the 9-5 is over. Heroes, for sure; but forgotten once they are in country. Thanks, Hank! Amy
brenda w
Amy, I interrupted Len’s reading to read this aloud to him. Wowza! Thanks for this piece, we nodded our heads in agreement. Hoo ah! You rocked this wordle with a message that some should pull their heads out of their asses to hear.
~Brenda
Sharp Little Pencil
Brenda, thanks again for the words. Amazing how the Wordle pushed me in that direction. My concern is for the troops once they get home… they deserve not just Vet care, but an actual amount of time in a National Park, away from family a nd friends, with comrades, to blow off steam, see a therapist, get psychiatric help. and THEN go home. Less spousal abuse, suicide… war is a tragedy wrought by those who don’t have to fight… this is a travesty, the way Special Ops, and all vets, get treated. Thanks to you and Len for listening. Peace, Amy
Old Egg
These are the giants that walk the earth, thank heavens they are on our side.
Sharp Little Pencil
I only wish our government actually treated them for trauma once they came back in-country.
vivienne Blake
Amy, I love your poem, would not ave noticed the wordle words had you not highlighted them. Your theme is a painful one, which you treat with delicacy.
Sharp Little Pencil
I only wish we treated our mentally savaged heroes with the same delicacy, Viv. Thanks for the compliment about the wordle words. Much appreciated, Amy
Susannah
Very well done Amy and what a perfect use for these wordle words. You told this truth so well.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Susannah. Brenda comes up with amazing combinations, and it all began with the hardest word: Seditious. Too bad I had to use it to describe our government, or rather the military industrial complex which gets half our taxes.
Jae Rose
I live near an army base and you see these soldiers in the supermarket with their kids doing the shopping..and you just think how can you switch worlds? Maybe you can’t afford to think..Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
Watch the Oscar-winning Hurt Locker, starring Jeremy Renner, and you will feel it even more strongly. Also in comments, I’ve mentioned several times the need for returning troops, especially multiple or prolonged deployments and Special Ops, SEALS, to say a quick “hello” and hug their families – then be shipped off for a month to a designated National Park (closed to the public until the war ends) to let off steam,. meet with psychiatrists, therapists, and support groups, and get that shit off their chests. Fewer suicides, addiction acquired can be treated, cut down on spousal abuse. Thanks, Jae, for a thoughtful comment. THIS WAR MUST END.
Daydreamertoo
They pay a high price for all that training, in the end. I’m ex regular army and saw many men whose minds were broken from serving in Northern Ireland in the 7o’s.
A lovely, poignant tribute to those silent and very brave men who serve their country behind the scenes, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much – I didn’t know you were ex-military. You, more than many, will understand why I wrote this. Not only as a tribute, but as a chastisement of our government, which does next to nothing in the way of re-introduction into society of our men and women in uniform. Thanks for saying this – I was expecting (and would not mind, would not delete, would not speak ill to) backlash from military members. Peace, Amy
Jess
A well-penned tribute. The last stanza really got me.
Sharp Little Pencil
Truth hurts, even when on paper, right? Unfortunately, it does not hurt those without a conscience, and that’s our military-industrial-corporate complex, which, along with insurance/pharmaceuticals and Con-Agra type megafarming, is poised to take over the U.S. We will soon be an oligarchy, run by the “chosen few” (the ones with all the green who pay no taxes). Amy
Mike
A powerful poem.
You made me stop and think again about what it is that we ask our young men to do supposedly in the name of freedom and democracy.
Thanks for an interesting read.
Sharp Little Pencil
Mike, I know we are of different mindsets on some things. But I believe our government – using our tax dollars (over 50% of the budget) – misuses people, throws them away when they are no longer of use… I believe, as I’ve said in comments below, that ALL personnel should have a one-month (or more if they need it) stay at a National Park (closed to the public). No guns allowed, just fishing, rock climbing, daily meetings with psychiatrists, therapists, and most of all, support groups with their divisions and other like divisions. Special Ops and SEALS would have their own groups. Don’t just toss them back into society. Remember the cereal box scene in The Hurt Locker? That’s no way to treat our vets, whether they are grunts or specialists.
Thank you, Mike. Amy
TheMsLvh
Thank you for giving the attention to our lost Navy Seals and others on that flight.
Such a sad day.
Sharp Little Pencil
And so sad that it’s only when multiple Special Forces die, it gets above the fold on Page One. So many families are losing loved ones every day. THIS WAR MUST END. And we must take better care of our troops when they come home, not just toss them into the hopper of society and expect them to blend. Mental health services, time away from all munitions to blow off steam… Thanks so much for coming back, my dear! Amy
wordsandthoughtspjs
Powerful write, Amy. So much truth in this.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s not only how we treat our children that judges us as a society… it’s how we treat our vets – and WHY they went to war in the first place. Perhaps if more “real women,” earth mothers, were in higher political office, there might be more talk and less “action”? Who knows? I guess until we get the money out of politics, it’s a moot point. Thanks Pamelita! Amelita
Altonian
Terrific piece Amy! The sad thing is one doesn’t need to ask of whom you speak, it could be any or all of the ‘so-called’ leaders the world has had (particularly the western world) for many years now.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, well, I was mostly speaking of who got us into this mess… although the one who is not doing much to get us OUT is now on my “list” too! Wish I was on his advisory team… Thanks, Leigh! Hey, would you please leave your full blog address so I can simply click on it to visit you? Thanks, and peace, Amy
Mike Patrick
First, you did an impeccable job working the wordle prompt into your poem. They fit perfectly in the theme.
As to the theme, you honor those special people who give so much to their country. I agree with your every point. It’s sad that their service haunts them after they get out, but is says much about them that it does. Where do they find people of this caliber?
Sharp Little Pencil
Those people find the military. They are driven by adrenalin and fearlessness and a certain sense of immortality. Often they want to go into law enforcement. They want to see the world.
They get all those things (except the immortality part, in many cases), but when they kill, it’s up close and personal, like the old days. One of my friends was a staunch Reagan Republican and he has over the years changed his thinking. Felt in his gut he was doing the right thing, but realized they were manipulated by “higher powers,” and I don’t mean God.
If we took better care of our troops when they came home, perhaps they wouldn’t end up still haunted 20, 30 years later? Who knows? Thanks for your compliment, Mike. Amy
liv2write2day
Such much pain. You wonder how they do survive emotionally.
Sharp Little Pencil
Our government sure doesn’t bother to help them. They just get tossed back into society, left to cope, to dope, or to… end it all. Many have. Too many.
Amy
Traci B
A powerful piece, Amy. I don’t know anyone in the SEALs or Special Ops, but I had a friend whose grandson was a SEAL, and she often commented on the burden of secrecy he carried both off and on duty. She passed away a couple of years ago, so I’ve lost touch with the family and don’t know how or what the grandson is doing now, but I can imagine that his life has been forever altered by that turn in his military career path.
Sharp Little Pencil
Traci, we should insist our government, which is funded by our tax dollars, allot part of the military budget to give a “rest and relaxation break” to all troops coming home. In WWII, Roosevelt closed the National Parks to give respite to returning troops. They had time to unwind, fish, and get away from the horrors of constant gunfire.
Now, considering what the SEALS and others do, they should NOT be shoved back on Main Street with no psychiatry, etc., available, so I’d add to that month daily visits with therapists and daily support groups so units could talk it out, cry together, try to heal a bit, perhaps for a month or so. It would be hard on families not to have them back right away, but it would cut down on spousal abuse, suicide, and the like. Thanks Traci. Amy
Lafemmeroar
The last stanza is tragic and true. Another powerful poem I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much. I know it’s heavy… Amy
Renee Espriu
So true for many but when you are there it can be a rude awakening. My oldest son is in the Army and been overseas four times now. He seems better now he’s been back awhile but when he first came home…well, just let’s say he was very preoccupied. I’m glad he is not going over again. Your words are always to the point and I love that…the realist that I am.
Sharp Little Pencil
Renee, if you read other responses you will find I’m very disappointed in how the US Govt (read: our tax dollars) are NOT being spent taking care of returning troops. Not just the SEALS, but multiple deployments, Natl Guard who signed up years ago thinking they’d be protecting US soil, rank and file troops. Perhaps close off some National Parks, let these brave people rest and relax, plus have psych and therapist care, support groups. Let them cry, scream, HEAL. Instead, they are tossed back into society like corn flakes into a Kellogg’s box.
Tell your son I said, “Thank you for serving our country.” I support the troops… it’s the decisionmakers I have a problem with. Thanks, Renee. Amy
pmwanken
GREAT tribute, Amy!! You’ve covered the spectrum in such a concise poem. Their talent as well as their torture. Too many perfect lines to say which is my favorite…well done!
Here’s mine: http://whenwordsescape.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/pledge-of-allegiance/
~Paula
Sharp Little Pencil
Paula, thank you so much, I’m blushing, and yet – my shame over how our government treats returning soldiers – SEALS and combat troops alike – is overwhelming. If you haven’t seen “The Hurt Locker” yet, do so – you’ll know what I mean when I say, watch for the cereal scene. Amy
Mama Zen
Nailed it to the wall.
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, thanks, Mama! Really! Amy
dreamingthruthetwilight
The story of soldiers and the Police and all those others who have to stifle their individual consciences for what is handed out to them as “patriotism” and “common good” and “larger public interests” and so on. We all share the guilt because when we glorify our soldiers , we are comfortably shifting the guilt from our souls . Its as if by singing their praises we do not have to bother about the rest of their lives and the mental agonies that they have to go through. Very well written Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Nadira, this was one of the most interesting takes on my poem, from Brenda’s Wordle at The Sunday Whirl. In speaking of Afghanistan and Iraq, Bush’s two messes sloughed off on Pres. Obama, they were all about the oil and the money to be made by military contractors. I support the troops fully – it’s their higher-ups who have never been in the sight of a rifle (except for duck hunting, in which case, if you were Dick Cheney’s friend, you’d accept your own mutilation to stay in his good graces) with whom I have a problem, including the Afghan escalation by Pres. Obama, whom I otherwise support. We don’t take care of the vets when they return (see other replies to comments for my ideas…).
As for local police and firefighters, I also respect the rank and file, although there are A FEW rogue members of every police force who were attracted to the job by racism and the chance to be the only one holding a gun and a tazer. Basically, I’ve had good relationships with police officers – but then again, I’m white. I chewed a young cop in Attica a new one when I saw him pull over a guy right in front of my house on a “DWB” (Driving While Black). I made sure the guy was OK (I’m just trying to get to my AA meeting, he said), and the officer said, “Don’t talk to him.” Turned out he was pulled over because he had A STRING OF MARDI GRAS BEADS HANGING FROM HIS REARVIEW MIRROR! “Driving without a clear windshield,” was how the cop put it.
I told him, “The next yahoo who guns through here in his pickup with big fuzzy dice, I expect you to ticket him, even if he’s your family. In the meantime, you have just proved why everybody calls Attica a “Don’t let the sun set on you here, boy” kind of place. Don’t ever pull this crap in front of my house again or I’ll have you in front of the town council.” He followed me, harassing me for a few days, then finally laid off. Thanks be to God, we’re in Madison now! Amy
dreamingthruthetwilight
Thank you also for triggering the memory of a poem I had learnt a long way back in school, “The charge of the light brigade”. I have to thank my school headmistress Mother Gabrielle for making many many wonderful poems part of out curriculum. “The highwayman” was another one….”when the moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, when the road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor…”” Ah! what images:-) Thanks again:-)
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow. And I thought Mrs. Bolton was mean when she made me stop reciting “Gunga Din” in the third grade!! Thanks, Nadira. Peace always, Amy
contemplativemoorings
The irony is that they serve their country in order to protect it, yet the military projects we’ve taken on lately only seem to have made the world less safe…I wish this was not so…
Sharp Little Pencil
I agree. And what is also shameful is that they are discarded like recyclables once they get home. If you’re interested, read other comments for ideas I think would serve all returning troops’ mental and emotional well-being. OK, I’ll say it: War sucks. The end.
Nanka
That was very sharp Amy and rightly too!! We have similar situations here as well and so I agree with Altonian when he says “The sad thing is one doesn’t need to ask of whom you speak, it could be any or all of the ‘so-called’ leaders the world has had for many years now.” You have paid a great tribute to all the brave men wherever they may be and every argument you have made here fully justified!!
Kudos to you Amy ~ a standing ovation!!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, Nanka, and great to see you here. Yes, it’s always the men in power (who generally have never been in combat) who boldly send our young men and women into battle. Then they come home… to what? We don’t take care of them THERE, we don’t take care of them HERE. It’s all a travesty, and war, a mistake, every time. Amy
magicalmysticalteacher
“stirring the global pot to suit their needs”
This line is deeply disturbing in a contemplative way…
Sharp Little Pencil
It was meant to be, so thanks for noticing. Sorry to disturb folks, but I write them the way I see them, and that POV isn’t always shared…! Peace, Amy
Marianne
Powerful poem! I take so much for granted, especially my freedom.
Sharp Little Pencil
We all do. It’s human nature. But the way our government treats those who have given so much, under orders that are often calculated around money and munitions makers, really stinks. We owe our returning troops a lot more than a “thank you”‘ we owe them mental and health care, a leave upon returning to get the angst out of their systems, not just throw them back into society (without a job – National Guard folks used to be assured their jobs would be waiting, but Bush’s sending them overseas for months on end took care of that). That’s the real tragedy. Thanks Marianne, for the reminder. Peace, Amy
Dennis welch
It is not by chance that I stumble upon this writing after what poured out of me tonight. Thank you for having a big enough heart to honor and hold the ones that gone unseen. Peace, dennis
Sharp Little Pencil
We are all in this life together, Dennis. Each with a unique calling… each with their own view of truth based upon a particular set of experiences and teachings. I follow Jesus, Gandhi, Dr. King… and those who don the uniform, who really put their lives on the line every day, deserve nothing less than our full support, because someone’s setting IEDs for Americans, too. No one is right or wrong in this current conflict… except maybe the one who started it. And he had the nerve to joke about WMDs and “where are they?” to the National Press Club. Former Pres. Bush should be in The Hague, with Cheney and Rumsfeld right beside him. But that’s just me… Peace, my friend. Amy
Mr. Walker
I read this and immediately thought “classic Amy.” Thanks for this. I love how you deal with the immediacy of their experience overseas – and the fallout when they return home. We need to let go of that big old steel spoon that is stirring the pot for our own selfish needs.
Richard
Sharp Little Pencil
“That big old steel spoon,” or usually silver spoon, as men born of privilege often live not only on inherited wealth, but live danger vicariously through the lives of others who actually have to do the dirty work. (Anyone come to mind?!) I wish we would close two national parks and allow homecoming troops to greet their families, have a meal – and then get shipped to a nature sanctuary, with daily support groups and psychiatric monitoring for signs of PTSD, etc. They could cry together, grieve their lost friends together, get some exercise that would not involve gunfire or land mines… get some peace of mind first, some perspective, instead of getting tossed back into “real life.” I believe this would be a worthwhile investment and cut down on suicide rates, drug abuse, and spousal abuse… but what do I know? And would they listen to me? Thanks so much, Richard. PEACE, Amy