A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
I used to write poetry all the time. Growing up, music and poetry sustained me through some difficult time. It was at times dark and at others very poignant and beautiful. Robert Frost was a huge influence on me from the time I was forced to read “The Road Not Taken” in middle school. It’s still my favorite poem. I can still recite most of it.
I just returned from a trip to D.C. On the trip to DC, there were a bunch of first class seats open and the flight attendant gave those seats to me and other troops in uniform. Just so everyone knows, that airline was US Airways. Because of this and other experiences, I try to fly on their airlines as often as possible, actually earning elite status recently.
On the way back, I was laid over in Atlanta for more than two hours. The USO – for some dumb reason – was OUTSIDE security and I didn’t want to have to wait in that line again, so I went to my gate and just sat, watching the people walk by. Many of them were fellow Soldiers. While sitting there, I was inspired to write my first poem since basic training over 14 years ago.
Do You See Me?
I wander the concourses seeking my next ride
A heavy weight upon my shoulders
I’m in my own country
But amongst strangers
I keep my eyes low so as to avoid eye contact
I sit separated from the masses
People stare at me and my fellow troops unaware
But they keep silent as well
Do they see me?
Do they see us?
We’re going in different directions
Some of us come
Some of us go
We’re all in transition
Dressed alike but very different
Trying desperately to blend into an environment we don’t
I stare at my phone intently
Why won’t she pick up?
Does she hear me?
Do they hear us?
Eventually someone braves a conversational encounter
Tripping over their words, they mean well
Looking for common ground
Finding none
But wanting to let me know they care
The conversation is belabored
Seeking answers to questions I don’t know
Talking about family
My past, my present, my future
Does he know me?
Does he know us?
I board the plane and my seat assignment is changed
First Class
Other passengers wink and thank me
Some shake my hand
The pilot announces our presence
And the plane erupts in applause
This is the most comfortable flight I’ve ever had
In my entire life
And I’m heading home
I think they see me
I’m sure she hears me
I wish he knew me
For I am one of them.
(22) Readers Comments
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MissBirdlegs in AL
Wow! Who knew you could do that? It’s just perfect.
Kat in GA
Dude… you were laid over in ATLANTA… like, 30-40 minutes from us, and didn’t CALL?!
I’m sad.
Kat in GA
Oops, stupid typos… hit enter too soon. beautiful poem…(hugs)
wordsmith
CJ….warrior-poet.
jkc@ntc
Hi CJ!
Hugs CJ and tell Emily and the cillins Hello!
You always surprise me! You made me cry. That was very nice. The last time I flew, a gentleman in front of me in line at quiznos insisted on paying for a soldiers check for his and his families meal! I was so glad because he was an E3 and was counting pennies to pay his check. But the guy didn’t do it because of that, he didn’t know. He just wanted to say thanks, and he did that too verbally and by hugging his wife and shaking his son’s hands. This was not the first time I’ve seen that!! I’m glad the airline was good to you guys! It’s so refresing to know that people care and love our troops!
Sharon M
Beautiful CJ.
And, very fitting wordsmith.
Sharon M
Bridget
You got this one right…
and my favorite poem too…
“and that has made all the difference”.
CJ
Bridget, I definitely have taken that road and it really does “make all the difference”. Glad to be in the company of a fellow fan.
Jean
Beautiful.
I do so hope you keep writing.
brat
THANKS, CJ! I ALWAYS see you…..:)
sue05
Beautifully written. Ah its so nice to see the you I know coming out so that others might see!! I too am on the road less traveled and it HAS made all the difference. Thanks for sharing you CJ.
Ky Woman
aw CJ, You write poetry beautifully. And you certainly know how to bring a tear to the eyes.
May your road be filled with many whose eyes have been opened. Mine are.
rongkirby
CJ, I see you at Walter Reed on Friday eve 2/23. The 197th straight week that the Freepers have been out Thanking our Troops and Families for their service. Thanks for spending time with us and giving us the scoop on our Troops. You gave us all a real lift.
Esoterik
My gift back to you CJ, and all that graciously serve us.
Yearning to glimpse what eyes cannot see,
Our thoughts quicken in pace to “Where can they be?â€
Yearning to listen to what ears cannot hear,
Just the sound of the voice, our hearts hold so dear.
Yearning to feel what arms cannot hold,
Are they huddled in dark, are they suffering cold?
Yearning to breathe what the nose cannot smell,
The scent of the child, we remember so well.
Yearning to taste what lips cannot touch,
The last lingering kiss, our mind it will clutch.
Our loved ones away, heals deep in the sand;
For our safety, our lives, they now make their stand.
How bitter the price our freedoms demand,
Forlorn endurance, protecting our land.
- Blair Pruitt, Proud Father of A United States Marine.
Esoterik
What an idiot I am. I thought I corrected that before I uploaded it. That should have been “heels†not “heals.â€
Terri
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing CJ! I loved yours also Blair. Thanks for sharing!
Donna
A beautiful poem CJ…thanks! You are so talented! I like Blair’s poem too…thanks to you too!
CJ, I’m glad that your flight was a good one and that you guys got first class seats. First class seats for first class guys!
NY-David
I stand in the presence of literary, political and military greatness…
NY-David
EG
Thank you.
We see you, and when you express yourself we get to know you.
marianne
I’m an Army mom who travels frequently for business and believe me, I see you all! I see you on your way home for that precious 2 week leave, and I see you on your way back to the sandbox…those two weeks over much too soon. I see every one of you and in each one of you I see my own son, and I hold each and every one of you in my heart as you reunite with your loved ones, or with your unit – both are family, both are blessings, both have your back. Stay safe, Soldier and never wonder if we see you….we do…and we honor you, even those who can’t find the words to say it.
Beth* A.
This is a keeper, CJ. The way you bring it together at the end…really, really liked that. I am adding your poem to my collection of favorites. I’ve always been particularly fond of the evocative quality of Frost’s ‘Stopping by the Woods on a Frozen Evening’, myself.
Good for USair, and Atlanta, for treating our troops well.
Caitlin (NC)
This is beautiful. I am an Army sister and girlfriend, I come from a military family also, and a lot of my friends are also actively enlisted, so I hold the most respect for our troops, and pray not only for my soldiers but all of you in general as well. My boyfriend (whom is currently deployed) could relate to this poem a lot, he a lot of the time feels as if you guy’s go un-noticed, but I am here to say that I have so much pride in my heart for you men & women, I recently flew to Ft.Drum in March before my boyfriend’s deployment and I get the best feeling passing you men in uniform, I know each person makes a difference, I may not understand what you men/women go through but I’m way to often made aware. Never feel as if you’re not being heard, we hear each and every one of you, and to the ones like myself where it hits far to close to home, we feel in our hearts what it is that you all feel. Keep your head up, keep yourself safe, and focus on what’s important. We are proud!!