Flashback
I close my eyes and fall asleep—
Flashback.
I can’t wake up. I’m in too deep.
I look at my surroundings and know I’m in Iraq,
nothing but sand, the scorching heat…
I see all the garbage on the sides of the street.
Potholes are triggered with IED’s,
Sounds of everyone’s screams
“Watch out, RPG”.
I pray to God Don’t let it hit me.
Bullets are flying right past my face.
They miss me by inches, a gift of grace.
Thank you God! Thank you Jesus!
I praise them for letting my life be spared.
I look around and see nothing but pieces
of what used to be a body. I can’t help but stare.
“Allah! Allah!”—-the insurgents yell.
The fires of burning Humvees
surround us, like I’m burning in hell.
I hear the sounds of bells—-
It was just a memory,
now snapped back to reality.
Beverlee Appleby: “ My fiancée is a CPL in the USMC, and he served two tours in Iraq. Last year he was in Ramadi for nine months. He used to have frequent flashbacks and nightmares about Iraq, so it inspired me to write this poem.”