Terminal Leave

The unarmored
shoes she dons
leave space in the toe
for a soul. A phantom
hanging on her thigh
slips past
the mind’s
control.

Circles she’s in
wheel slowly.
She cracks jokes that go over
like lead.
The flag once borne
on a shoulder
now fatigues a frame
by her bed.

Eyes that once
were beside
watch her recede
into light; pills
the VA prescribed
count down
like rounds
in a fight.

Next
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Slamming the Door on Female Clergy

Damian Thompson

The year 2025 witnessed not only the death of the most liberal pope in the history of…

Artful Faith (ft. Stephen Auth)

Mark Bauerlein

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Stephen Auth joins…

Same-Sex Marriage and the European Bishops

John M. Grondelski

On November 25, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ordered Poland to recognize same-sex marriage. Polish law…