One Way Back Poem by William Coyne

We open our gaze to the world around,
as do we our ears to every sound,
touch the burning sand and cooling water,
taste the victory, and smell the slaughter.

We study the world through all our senses,
hazard our hearts well passed their defenses,
risk our own sobriety to see clearly
what to disown, and what to hold dearly.

You are what you see, so should see you well,
people existing between Heaven and Hell.
Open yourselves to all what you are,
but hold on to knowing just who you are.

What more may we claim in this turbulent life,
than to know who we are in sorrow and strife?
Keep that one light lit when all seems drawn black,
so it may show the way to fight our way back.