A Little More Broken. Poem by Neil Gray
A Little More Broken.
A piano plays through
the haze of the bar
and no-one seems to
smile around here
anymore.
It's just cheap whiskey
that fuels the cells
and second hand blues.
It just isn't the same
since you left.
There's a picture
of better days hung
next to the pool cues
as that's where you seemed to
spend all of your time,
hustling for cash
from all the
newbie's that came
through the door.
Your glass is still
sat up on a shelf
gathering dust
and your stool
is kept free
just in case one day
you can find your way home.
Jenny came in today
with the medal that they
gave her as if that
would be an adaquate
replacement for you.
She didn't look good.
Seems she found her way
back to the needle
after 10 years of being clean
but I just couldn't
find it in me
to blame her.
She said we could have it,
she didn't want it,
it hurt her everytime
it caught her eye.
They don't see it do they?
They're not around for
the fall-out.
All the lifes that they shattered
by sending you to fight
for our liberty
in a country
none of us even care about.
Then to send you back to us
in a fucking box.
It's just wrong.
You were 22.
Still a baby.
And THEY took you from us.
Not those that you were
at war with,
those assholes that sent you there.
And all the bullshit medals
in the World
won't bring you back.
You're gone
and we're still here
a little more jaded
and a little more
broken.
A wonderful write Niel. There is a touch of the Beat about this, but you do away with the romantic element and there is no maudilinity. The wording is beautiful and the narration uncompromising. i like this a lot. There is a real feeling of innateness in this.
I had'nt read you before Neil but will be now this is powerful stuff indeed! ! ! Oh by the way I beat you onto Earth by a week how cool is that! ! !
this is quite powerful, Neil. written with a good eye! Jake
Neil, this is another stunning poem from a stunning poet. It hurt to read - but it was very well written, and very powerful.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/27/2024 10:05:27 PM # 1.0.0.1119
If this is from personal experience Neil, my deepest condolences. I had a nephew who nearly got sent out, just a kid, he managed to get out before they could send him. I don't know what I would have done if this had happened. Blown up the houses of parliment probably! lol A great poem of loss. It is a terrible thing when they go, just empty stools and we can't do a thing about it. Sending you my deepest respect, Tai