By Bobbi Johnson

I sit in the corner

There is no light

I see shadows

Movement

Just beyond my realm

But I cannot reach it

Or reach out to it

They pass

Just as life does

Never stopping

Or turning too long my way

I think they don’t want to

They are disgusted

Afraid

Mortified to look closer

What will they see?

What will they learn?
They scurry past

My corner is cold

The wind is terrible

I can move

Just can’t get up

Nor do I want to anymore

I just want to sit here

Will they notice?

Will they care?

…Have they ever?…

A human dust bunny

Forgotten

Pushed under societies bed

Doesn’t someone see

All of us

Amassing here?

We only wonder

When the broom of cruelty

Will sweep us away

Hell is not fire

Brimstone

Or pitch forks of red

It’s now

Beside me here

In the corner

Cuddling me close

As if it too

Were a disposable tool

Only dredged out and flaunted

When someone needed frightening

Horrifying

And condemnation

Then once used

For someone’s vile plans

It’s tucked away

Into the dark recesses

Of the world

Discarded like Christian fodder

But I am not

Nor will I ever be

Someone’s tool

Their play toy

I am a Veteran

I served my country

With Pride

Dignity

Honor

I’m not asking for much…

Honesty

Respect of those I protected

Honesty

Some help with my problems

And Honesty

I tell myself I’m not an animal

I am human

With feelings

Desires

Needs

Don’t stand outside

And look in

Smug

Condescending

And tell me you care

Do you?

Ask yourself that

Be sure

Many have come before you

Same prattle

Spewing redundantly from their lips

Until they get bored

Weary

Fed-up

Well, I’m fucking fed-up, too!

You think I like this corner?
You think I enjoy this loneliness?

Feeling forgotten

Abandoned

Mentally crippled

Physically maimed…

And don’t begin to tell me

That I want too much

Hell!

I gave everything I had

And what have I in return?
Don’t guess or speculate

Ask me, dammit!

What do I need?

What is wrong?

What can be done?

Now I just sit here

In the dark

Vacuum of life

With only one question to ask

One that lingers

Always there

In my mind

Ready to be asked

…And answered…

It makes sickening sense

Why my own government despises me

But…

As my cigarette smoke

Dances lazily

In the stale air around me

I wonder

Why do you hate me?
I did nothing to you

But defend your freedom

…Yes, truly…

I have grown to hate you

You that walk by

Annoyed with me

Offended

Then I realize something critical

I may play poker

With Satan now

But you, my friend

For your ignorance

And unforgiving nature

Shall sleep with him forever