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Foreword <\/strong>by <\/strong>Stephen Barker<\/strong><\/p>\n I left School in 1979 and within a month joined the Royal Green Jackets in Winchester, after completing training joined 3 RGJ in Cambridge.<\/p>\n I Continued to serve until 1989 in which I saw service in Cyprus on the UN, Germany, Ireland, Falklands, Canada, and of course the UK.<\/p>\n In 2017 after many years of suffering, I was diagnosed with PTSD from three life threatening events during my service.<\/p>\n Part of my recovery at Combat Stress someone suggested I should begin writing. I have now published two other books called<\/p>\n \u2018The Lighter Side Of Cruising\u2019 and \u2018The Lighter Side of Cruising Part two.\u2019<\/p>\n Both are available on Amazon.<\/p>\n During my last two week stay at Combat Stress in April 2019, I started to write Poetry for the first time with this book being the first. Therefore, as part of my own recovery have put together what can loosely be classed as poetry.<\/p>\n Please enjoy the collection as we take you on a journey.<\/p>\n Steve Barker<\/strong><\/p>\n WHY<\/strong><\/p>\n Why<\/strong> Ho, What I’ve seen.<\/p>\n Grown<\/strong> men Cry, Strong men, weep, Of memories, all so real.<\/p>\n Some<\/strong> fear to go into the night, Why is sleep is a stranger to souls of war.<\/p>\n Ho<\/strong>, why do emotions treat me as a stranger.<\/p>\n Why<\/strong> can\u2019t I have scares for all to see, Instead, I suffer in a world away from view.<\/p>\n Ho<\/strong>, why emotions do you treat me as a stranger.<\/p>\n Is<\/strong> that a friend or foe that dares approach my unseen world,<\/p>\n Instinct<\/strong> or fear, our battle plans are drawn, Stay away, our battle cry.<\/p>\n Stand<\/strong> down you souls of war, Just a friend who\u2019s broken through your invisible wall.<\/p>\n Ho<\/strong>, why do emotions treat me as a stranger.<\/p>\n Stay Calm<\/strong><\/p>\n No<\/strong> need to fear, no need to panic, Scan<\/strong> to the left, scan to the right, Scenarios<\/strong> run through the mind, but what if, Eyes<\/strong> to the front, watch the shadows, Time<\/strong> to scan once more, fist to the left then the right, Men<\/strong> approach, time stands still, But<\/strong> a moment past, three men, in the distance stood, No<\/strong> loud bang, no pain to feel, Vehicle Check Point<\/strong><\/p>\n Just<\/strong> a drive, no need to worry, The<\/strong> sound of Lock & Load breaks the winter air, Through<\/strong> the city, into the country, Round<\/strong> the bend, come to a halt, No<\/strong> time to panic, just stay calm, remember your training, Inch forward one at a time, The<\/strong> mind plays memories of happier times, Another<\/strong> one through, we\u2019re getting close, Why<\/strong> am I here, I don\u2019t want to die, Two<\/strong> more cars to go, Time<\/strong> to do or die, we\u2019re in next, One<\/strong> last check, the weapons ready, just in case, We<\/strong> are through, now with haste, we part this place of danger, In to the Night<\/strong><\/p>\n The<\/strong> sunsets over the horizon, In<\/strong> the corner, alone soldier stood, The<\/strong> time has come to venture into the darkness, The<\/strong> plans for the night had been told, An<\/strong> eerie Silence fell, over this war-torn city, Our<\/strong> Soldier had seen all before, On<\/strong> into the night, our brave Soldier went, Not<\/strong> far now, just a mile, Earlier<\/strong> a mistake, our brave Soldier made, The Street<\/strong><\/p>\n The<\/strong> day has come, no more time, no more excuses, We\u2019re<\/strong> here, our goal, but a short distance, What’s<\/strong> that sound, minds flashback, to days since past, Hyper-vigilance<\/b> skills, once finely tuned, come into play, People<\/strong> come our way, senses intensify, Not<\/strong> far, our goal close at hand, We\u2019ve<\/strong> reached our goal, we\u2019re safe for now, The Shop<\/strong><\/p>\n Remember<\/strong> the days, when duty done, Deep<\/strong> breath, the hard part done, we\u2019re here, We\u2019re<\/strong> in, threats lurk all around, The<\/strong> coast is clear, time to move in, At<\/strong> last, target clear, time to move once more, Remembering<\/strong> training, long since past, Once<\/strong> again, our standoff position we must find, The<\/strong> body tingles, senses heighten, hairs stand on end, Invite<\/strong><\/p>\n A<\/strong> chance has arisen to escape, my unseen world, One<\/strong> day to go, my mind has started, its unfair games, Zulu<\/strong> time, but two hours from now, Zero<\/strong> hour, plans are made, nothing left to chance, We\u2019re<\/strong> here, strange noises come from far and near, In<\/strong> the doorway, we stand, frozen in a moment, Don\u2019t<\/strong> think less of me, if I sit with my back to the wall, Thanks<\/strong> for the invite, but it\u2019s time to go, Night<\/strong><\/p>\n Come<\/strong> with me into the shadows of the night, Those<\/strong> who dare to go into the darkness, If<\/strong> you hear me cry out in the night, Some<\/strong> lay awake, into the night, they stare, Time<\/strong> to greet another day, Come Home<\/strong><\/p>\n Come home you brave souls of war, Leave<\/strong> behind the shadows that dance in the night, Forget<\/strong> the battlefield, but remember the few, Tie<\/strong> up that black dog, its walk complete, Talk<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t<\/strong> sit there alone, without emotion, Talk<\/strong> to your loved ones, before it\u2019s too late, Don\u2019t<\/strong> hide the events, of days long since absent, Have<\/strong> a place in your heart, for loved ones, driven away, Feel<\/strong> the warmth, feel the love, from those you\u2019ve let in, Stay Close<\/strong><\/p>\n When you look at me, what do you see, Just<\/strong> there, inside my mask, a soul lost within their mind, Don\u2019t<\/strong> be fooled by our mask, When<\/strong> we call, please make time, If<\/strong> you see me all alone, sit by my side, stay awhile, If<\/strong> I retreat to my safe place or cry out in the night, Family<\/strong><\/p>\n As<\/strong> you venture onto your solitary path of recovery, Some<\/strong> have been there all their lives, When<\/strong> you were on your own but wanted to talk, On<\/strong> the days when life seemed too hard to bear, When<\/strong> you desired nothing more than a loving hug, Love<\/strong> for our family, so much we owe, Treatment<\/strong><\/p>\n Our<\/strong> long road to recovery has arrived, Our<\/strong> acceptance letter, given, but a cautionary glance, The<\/strong> day has come, at the front gate we stand, Our<\/strong> farewells said we\u2019re left alone, time for calm, Time<\/strong> has come for interaction, fellow Veterans met, With<\/strong> apprehension, we wait, the start of this new day, In<\/strong> the room Veteran sit, each, their backs to the wall, Silence<\/strong> fills the room, all unsure what to say, We<\/strong> leave the room, our shoulders, a heavyweight lifted, One to One<\/strong><\/p>\n We<\/strong> enter the room of despair, The<\/strong> sound of rooms being unlocked, Tears<\/strong> flow in your mind, from events long since past, The<\/strong> heart quickens, sweat flows from your brow, Stand<\/strong> down you souls of war, It’s only the therapist, In My Head<\/strong><\/p>\n There<\/strong> in my head, again, Words<\/strong> sharpened to a point, There<\/strong> in my head, again. They<\/strong> were in my head again.<\/p>\n Place of Safety<\/strong><\/p>\n Dawn<\/strong> has broken over our place of safety, Echos<\/strong> of encouragement fill the morning air, Remember<\/strong> lessons learned, Armed<\/strong> with knowledge a new, courage aplenty, Don\u2019t<\/strong> panic, don\u2019t fear![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.memorialatpeninsula.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/3BB070EC-1F5F-43BC-832D-1CDD877CD862-206x300.jpeg\")
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\nAs with all my books, 25% of the profit on each sale goes to Combat Stress.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.memorialatpeninsula.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Combat-Stress-300x169.jpg\")
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\n
\n
\nStay calm, remember the training long since done,
\nFeel for the pistol, away from inquisitive eyes,
\nOne more deep breath, settle the nerves,
\nDo your duty and watch the space.<\/p>\n
\nNothing to see, but cars all in a row,
\nPeople come, people go, bags full to bursting,
\nWhat\u2019s in the bag, is it a bomb,
\nStay calm, remember your training.<\/p>\n
\nSit back, stay calm, there is nothing to fear,
\nCount the cars as they come and park,
\nOne more deep breath, settle the nerves,
\nRemember your training.<\/p>\n
\nRays of light dance off the darkened metal,
\nCheck the door, count the bricks, all secure,
\nNothing to see, but the weighbridge door,
\nStay Calm, remember your training.<\/p>\n
\nWhat’s that, in my field of view,
\nNo need to panic, only three men, smartly dressed,
\nFeel for the pistol, away from inquisitive eyes,
\nJust for comfort, to settle the nerves,
\nRelax, Stay Calm, remember your training.<\/p>\n
\nThe body begins to tension, adrenalin makes you blush,
\nHairs once flush, now stand on end,
\nWith sweaty palms, we grip the wheel,
\nEyes never for a moment, leave the men,
\nRelax, deep breath, stay calm, remember your training.<\/p>\n
\nNow, but an arms reach away, they now stand,
\nThe middle man, with outreached hand, a pistol held,
\nNo time to act, no time for training long since done,
\nOnly time to sit and stare,
\nNo time for life to flash before your eyes,
\nNo time to think of loved ones, on faraway shores,
\nJust time to watch the trigger pulled, its time to die.<\/p>\n
\nWhat happened, I should have died, but I\u2019m still here,
\nThe sound of laughter filled the air,
\nThree men disappeared from my field of view,
\nHo, why did I forget my training,
\nStay calm, your still here, you survived.<\/p>\n
\n
\nI\u2019ve done it many times,
\nA trip to the country,
\nThrough rolling hills and fields of green,
\nThe sun shines, birds sing in the winter air.<\/p>\n
\nOpen the gates, danger awaits,
\nTake a breath, check your weapon, its time to go.<\/p>\n
\nPeace and tranquillity in abundance,
\nFollow the twists, follow the turns,
\nThrow caution into the wind.<\/p>\n
\nBottom of the hill two lone figures stand,
\nTime to check all around,
\nNowhere to run, nowhere to hide,
\nCheck the safety, is there one up the spout.<\/p>\n
\nFear & calm, strange bedfellows, make,
\nThe bodies numb, sweat trickles down the spine.<\/p>\n
\nOne car cleared, another takes its place,
\nWhat if\u2019s, play havoc in your mind,
\nStay calm, remember your training.<\/p>\n
\nOf loved ones, past and present,
\nThings you should have said and done,
\nWill this be it, will I be remembered.<\/p>\n
\nMind back in the game,
\nEyes fixed with a hollow stare,
\nJust ahead, the vehicle checkpoint stands,
\nOne hand on the wheel, one sweaty grip on the weapon.<\/p>\n
\nHo, I wish my brothers & Sisters in arms were now, here,
\nInstead, I sit here all alone,
\nNo knowledge of what’s to come.<\/p>\n
\nThe body stiffens with anticipation,
\nHeart quickens, with rapid breaths, it\u2019s hard to breathe,
\nThe two lone figures, now in full view,
\nArmed to the teeth, looking like police,
\nHo, I hope that\u2019s true.<\/p>\n
\nOne approach, the other stands clear,
\nHo, I wish I wasn\u2019t here,
\nGently does it, no sudden moves,
\nRemove the ID from its place of hiding,
\nStay calm, remember your training.<\/p>\n
\nThe window glides without a sound,
\nOne grip on the pistol, the other on ID,
\nWith a cautionary glance, our pass is seen,
\nThe figure waves us through.<\/p>\n
\nThe heart rate lowers, a regular pace is set,
\nI made it, I\u2019m still alive.<\/p>\n
\n
\nBeyond the dark grey building, of a war-torn city,
\nA four-man patrol returned to its place of sanctuary,
\nEach face etched with a thousand-yard stare,
\nBodies dipped, a sign let out, they had lived to fight another day.<\/p>\n
\nMind, body & soul contemplating the night,
\nOf dangers yet to come,
\nA wishful glance, envious eyes cast over our brave patrol,
\nThere they stood, body armour bulging,
\nOur brave Soldier, nothing but overalls to protect.<\/p>\n
\nWith memories of events, hours since past,
\nA mistake, an error, which could cost lives.<\/p>\n
\nStill, our brave Soldier ventured into the night.<\/p>\n
\nOnly the sound of clanging metal, to break the silence,
\nOut of the darkness, a group of men appeared,
\nDancing in and out of the shadows,
\nStill, our brave Soldier approached, his mission at hand.<\/p>\n
\nLike an angry volcano, rocks and stones aplenty came,
\nDeafening sounds as rocks struck home,
\nFist a few, then came many,
\nSounds of smashing glass came from the left,
\nThis truck, not made for war.<\/p>\n
\nPast parked cars, each a potential threat,
\nOut of the night, a junction did appear,
\nPlease let the lights be green, danger lurks on every corner.<\/p>\n
\nA new place of sanctuary will appear, a place to rest,
\nFrom under the dash, a radio crackled into life,
\nA voice, time will never forget, broke the air,
\nTime to stop, time to hide,
\nDon\u2019t come closer the voice cried out.<\/p>\n
\nPlans were told, powers to be, ignored,
\nLoss of life, the price could have been,
\nA car, a bomb, now awaits our brave Soldier at the gate,
\nThanks to the men at the gate, lives well saved that day,
\nOur brave Soldier lives to fight another day.<\/p>\n
\n
\nCovert plans, run within our minds,
\nAll routes covered, none left to chance,
\nDeep breath, time to go.<\/p>\n
\nThreats to the left, to the right,
\nEyes scanning, all to see,
\nDeep breath, one step more,
\nPeople move, some slow, others quick,
\nDancing in & out, our field of view,
\nStay calm, you’re safe, one more step.<\/p>\n
\nWith instinct, we head for safer ground,
\nNo need to panic, no need to fear,
\nJust the sound of a car backfiring,
\nStay calm, your safe, one more step.<\/p>\n
\nCheck the window, check the doorway,
\nWhy\u2019s that person there, Don\u2019t forget to look behind,
\nStay calm, your safe, one more step.<\/p>\n
\nWith skills once perfected, we scan the treat,
\nHow many, what\u2019s their mission,
\nLook for weakness, is that a limp,
\nNow they’re close, the body prepares in expectation,
\nThe moment passes without peril,
\nStay calm, you’re safe, one more step.<\/p>\n
\nIn the doorway, trained eyes respond, to dangers a new,
\nWhy\u2019s that person, who, but a moment ago, not there,
\nNow, stands between me and my goal,
\nScenarios run wild, within our mind,
\nSlow down, check the window, who\u2019s close at hand,
\nAvoidance techniques long since refined, play our hand,
\nStay calm, you’re safe, one more step.<\/p>\n
\nTime for grounding, time to come back to hear and now,
\nTime to practice lessons learned, at our place of safety,
\nOur task for today, now complete,
\nStay calm, you’re safe.<\/p>\n
\n
\nTerrors you faced, without a flinch,
\nThere you stood, side by side, with brave souls of war,
\nDon\u2019t let the fears of the day, overcome.<\/p>\n
\nWe stand, a quiet time, we wait,
\nRemembering lessons learnt, from our place of safety,
\nGrounding techniques, we search,
\nOur pockets, hands dig deep,
\nOne hand a phone, the other our keys,
\nDeep breath, its time.<\/p>\n
\nWe turn left, then left, and left again,
\nJust in case people, are a following,
\nStandoff we must, our target, seen,
\nWatch and wait, until the cost is clear.<\/p>\n
\nLike shadows moving within the night, we approach,
\nAbort, abort, someone stands close,
\nRetreat to our standoff point, we must,
\nWe stand and stare, we wait, until target clear.<\/p>\n
\nNow with caution, we move in, our minds on our goal,
\nIt\u2019s just there, an arms reach away,
\nAt last, our DVD obtained,
\nTime to beat a swift retreat.<\/p>\n
\nA different path, we must take,
\nOur mind into surveillance mode, has slipped,
\nPeople approach, first a few, them many,
\nOur eyes search around, a safer way, we must find,
\nTurning this way and that, our objective now in view.<\/p>\n
\nTime to stand and stare, a quieter time we await,
\nThe queue has gone, time to move,
\nBreathing techniques in hand, we stand and wait.<\/p>\n
\nSomeone stands to close, in our protective zone,
\nWhy so close, what do they want, don\u2019t they understand,
\nTime stands still, while we wait,
\nOne eye on the goal, the other on the person, so close,
\nWe made it, we survived, let\u2019s leave this place of danger,
\nStay calm, it\u2019s only a shop.<\/p>\n
\n
\nBut, only for a moment in time,
\nTime to break free from my lonely world,
\nTo you, a small invite, to me, a chance at life,
\nJust an invite to a local pub, to me the world.<\/p>\n
\nOutcomes, some new, some old, play within my soul,
\nFear has risen its ugly head, paranoia sets in,
\nShould I go, should I stay,
\nIt\u2019s an invite I want to go.<\/p>\n
\nTime to get ready, but what’s that sound,
\nNeed to do this, need to do that, maybe I shouldn\u2019t go,
\nIf I go, lousy time will be had, by all,
\nExcuses run rife within my mind,
\nHead for the shower, clean the body, cleanse the mind,
\nNo more excuses, you have an invite, after all.<\/p>\n
\nNot far to go, but still, our mind takes a different route,
\nWill I be left to ponder, on my own, will people talk,
\nStay calm, you brave soul of war, it\u2019s only an invitation.<\/p>\n
\nThe door, just there, you can do it, just one more step,
\nOne brave step, we\u2019re in, a crowded room, we\u2019re faced,
\nWith flashbacks, our mind seeks days long since gone.<\/p>\n
\nEyes dart around the room, dangers we do seek,
\nEach group we scan in turn, dangers lurk all around,
\nAll five senses, now in play, we watch, we listen,
\nWhere is the escape route, just in case.<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019m anxious about what I can\u2019t see, no control, you see,
\nBut don\u2019t leave me alone, come and chat,
\nEveryone having fun, despite my presence here,
\nMaybe it isn\u2019t me, that destroys the night.<\/p>\n
\nMy past is back, with its vengeful stance,
\nEveryone in the room, now a potential threat,
\nEvery sound, now echoing in my head,
\nPanic sets in, my way is blocked, I need to leave,
\nPlease don\u2019t think less of me,
\nThanks for the invite, but I need to go.<\/p>\n
\n
\nWhere terrors hide in the darkness,
\nFor our brave souls, they lay in wait,
\nMany fear to tread, where they\u2019ve been before,
\nToo many times they\u2019ve danced in the shadows.<\/p>\n
\nSleep, but a short affair,
\nTwo hours, maybe four, we take our chance,
\nHow many nightmares will this night bring,<\/p>\n
\nDon\u2019t feel pity, just a memory, just stay close,
\nFor those, yet to venture into the darkness,
\nThe journey they must make,<\/p>\n
\nOthers wait for the cold light of day,
\nAt last, first light, the terrors of the night, left behind,<\/p>\n
\nBut the day is just a double-edged weapon,
\nWhat terrors, wait for our brave souls of war.<\/p>\n
\n
\nLeave the darkness, enter the light,
\nWithout fear, without pain,
\nTread a new path.<\/p>\n
\nForget the voices, that play tricks on the mind,
\nLeave the nightmares that haunt the night,
\nCome in from the cold, you brave souls of war.<\/p>\n
\nReplace the images, with ones a new,
\nPatrol, no more as you walk the streets,
\nBe vigilant, but walk not in fear,
\nIt\u2019s time to come home, you brave souls of war.<\/p>\n
\nYou\u2019re alone no more,
\nThere is a place for you, right here, by my side,
\nTogether, we can walk a new path,
\nTime to come home you brave souls of war.<\/p>\n
\n
\nRemembering the things you\u2019ve seen & done,
\nTerrors that make you scream, but in the night,
\nSights that would make everyday folk, run with fright,<\/p>\n
\nTell them of the horrors you\u2019ve seen,
\nOnes that make you call out in the night,
\nTell them of sights, intense in your mind,
\nWhy you fear to venture into the night,<\/p>\n
\nOpen your voice, to those that will listen,
\nLet the tears flow, don\u2019t be ashamed,
\nThose that love you the most will not judge,
\nWelcome them in with open arms,<\/p>\n
\nTerrors you have witnessed, you couldn\u2019t talk
\nOutbursts not meant for them,
\nThe days you sat and wept, not destined for them to see,<\/p>\n
\nTerrors may still haunt our days & nights,
\nNow with a loving hug, our problems shared,
\nWhen we sit alone, in our solitary world, we relax,
\nThey now know, It’s our place of safety,
\nYou did your duty, it\u2019s time to talk.<\/p>\n
\n
\nA vigorous person, full of life, full of joy,
\nLook deeper, past my mask, what do you see.<\/p>\n
\nA place, nightmares run wild in the night,
\nTerrors of the past, play havoc, throughout the day,
\nStay close, we need you now.<\/p>\n
\nThose who\u2019ve seen war, behind our masks we must stay,
\nNot for shame, not for guilt, Inside we cry in pain,
\nOur aim, protect you from horrors, we\u2019ve seen,
\nWhen our words cut the air, our actions aggressive,
\nRemember, they’re not meant for you.<\/p>\n
\nIt’s taken us an hour to call,
\nAt first, it may seem hard to comprehend,
\nTime to listen, we need to talk, of terrors seen & done,
\nA friendly voice, all we need, in our hour of need,
\nStay close, we need you now.<\/p>\n
\nBut don\u2019t get angry, get not upset,
\nIf a barrier between us, I do make,
\nRead between the lines, it\u2019s not there for you.<\/p>\n
\nPlease don\u2019t leave me, or go away, stay by my side,
\nIt\u2019s lonely, trapped here, within this world of torment,
\nPlease stay close, we need you now.<\/p>\n
\n
\nStop, but for a moment, take a look around,
\nWho\u2019s that, who dares, to stand close,
\nIt the darkest days, all seemed lost, they were there,
\nWhen you retreated to your safe place, who was there.<\/p>\n
\nOthers, but a short space in time,
\nWithout hesitation, when you needed someone,
\nThey were there, no price to be paid,
\nThey wiped your tears, they held your hand,
\nOn them days, when all seemed lost.<\/p>\n
\nWho was there, but a phone call away,
\nIn the night, when you called out in fear,
\nThey were there, but a short distance away.<\/p>\n
\nWho held out, that supporting hand,
\nNo price was paid, no price was asked,
\nWithout question, there support, they gave,<\/p>\n
\nNo need to ask, they were already there,
\nWith there care, our road to recovery, assured,
\nIf only, we could give back, just a small amount.<\/p>\n
\nThey were there, in our darkest hour,
\nOur daughters, our sons, partners to,
\nWithout them, our road, a hard path to follow.<\/p>\n
\n
\nWith trembling hands, we read,
\nNot one, but two weeks we must go,
\nQuestion formulate, within our minds,
\nAm I worthy, what of the brave souls, limbs they\u2019ve lost,
\nMore justified, this place of healing.<\/p>\n
\nFear of the unknown, takes hold, within our minds,
\nWill, I need to bare all I\u2019ve seen & done, for all to see,
\nTerrors kept inside, for so long, now to be exposed,
\nWill, I need to talk, in a group, not doing that.<\/p>\n
\nOne deep breath, one step more, family close at hand,
\nWith trepidation, we enter this place of healing,
\nA welcome smile, a friendly voice, meets us at the door,
\nOur body, but a moment ago, numb, now relax.<\/p>\n
\nA moment in time passes bye, we wait,
\nA faint knock at the door, a friendly voice, calls out,
\nNo need to panic, it’s only a nurse,
\nGo with them we must, our state of mind, assessed.<\/p>\n
\nPast fears put aside, they’re just like me,
\nAn unbreakable bond, our souls of war, sustain,
\nOn eggshells, our Veteran tread triggers not yet known,
\nTime has come to venture into the night.<\/p>\n
\nThe days plan, all laid out, for all to see,
\nAs time slips past, fear of the unknown runs wild,
\nThe hour fast approaches, time to meet our demons.<\/p>\n
\nEach an individual, But with a common goal,
\nWe need to know, why terrors play havoc in our minds,
\nTime has come, no more running from our past.<\/p>\n
\nIt took awhile, help from a friendly voice is all it took,
\nSlowly our voice could be heard, we\u2019re not alone,
\nToo many days passed, believing, it was just us,
\nCrying out in the night, horrors faced, each & every day,
\nWe\u2019re not alone, it’s not just me.<\/p>\n
\nFears were unfounded, no need to panic,
\nFor once a glimmer of hope now surrounds us all,
\nThe next meeting, we wait with anticipation.<\/p>\n
\n
\nThere we sit in fear and anticipation of what\u2019s to follow,
\nTime is near, panic raises from deep within,
\nThe body stiffens with anticipation.<\/p>\n
\nCome from deep inside your head,
\nQuestions attack from every angle.<\/p>\n
\nStill, we sit alone in the room of despair,
\nNothing but our thoughts playing their harsh games.<\/p>\n
\nWhile your eyes accelerate towards the door,
\nAt first a squeak, then a rush of air
\nThe door opens wide.<\/p>\n
\nThey\u2019ve come to talk, of terrors you\u2019ve seen,
\nLet them in, share the pain.<\/p>\n
\n
\nNowhere to run, Nowhere to hide,
\nThere is nowhere to go.<\/p>\n
\nLike surgeons, they hack away,
\nFirst to the left, then to the right,
\nThey’re coming at me from all angles,
\nQuick, put up a defence, don\u2019t let them in,
\nThere’s no way out.<\/p>\n
\nMy feelings are out for all to see,
\nAt last, they are out, calm and peace are back again,
\nTears shed, muscles stretched,
\nThe mind has relaxed.<\/p>\n
\n
\nThe air, full of anticipation,
\nSome with fear, some with joy,
\nIts time to leave our place of safety.<\/p>\n
\nFrom angels that keep us safe,
\nOthers from brothers & sisters in arms,
\nWithin our place of safety.<\/p>\n
\nTake that brave new step,
\nInto the world outside, with heads held high,
\nIts time to leave our place of safety.<\/p>\n
\nSay our sad farewells,
\nWe head off on our brand new journey,
\nOur place of safety left behind.<\/p>\n