The Secret Club

The Secret Club

You remembered the day was gloomy, it appeared odd
Always musty outside, clouds plastered gray to the skyline
And rain never came. Two houses down, the neighbors
Went rabid. Alice painted awful pictures
Christmas when they sent the gifts. Red holly berries
Remind you the streets were slick and tire chains
The law. Scarcity was real, purse and heart.
And each tick long as an eon. You remember aged
Bell ringers at the entrance, ringing their pleas
In air, and the indifferent passersby
Ignoring the kettle with their usual zombie stares
And life is different since you came back from Iraq
Knowing the things you knew then have changed.
You try to believe these things are the same,
But combat stress sneaked in while you were away, over-bearing
Its cause well-known. You still have need
To remember life, full and safe
Streets well-lined remind you of the plane
Your life took one day forever, some far desert place
The odd name you never recall. The year remains
A blur, like trees from a moving train’s window.
You find comfort in the company of comrades ,
You are welcome in the secret club they  have formed.