While paying attention to something else, I started to think on PTSD.

War Changes A Man
by Michael Doyle

It came on without any warning
Half past two in the morning
And suddenly, it was show time
Landing hard like an emotional crime

Visited by ghosts of the war
Long ago past and hidden behind the door
Every time there was a loud noise
He was wading hip deep with the boys

At the sound of isolated backfire
He's back there crawling under trip wires
Of booby traps inside his mind
He knew he made it out, but, felt left behind

It seems that every loud sound
Finds him facedown on the ground
He had struggled hard to make it home
But most times, he just preferred to be alone

Thinking on how it is that every loud sound
Finds him face down and hugging the ground
They say war changes a man..
...He's just doing the very best he can

(c) June 13, 2020  Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved