“The Marching Flesh” by Jesse Sheppard

A poem about mass punishment   I hold back my liquor and aggression, when he says, “the fault of one falls on us” Marines swallow logic and expression, the Corps becomes calm and delirious   Inside my head, flower petals bloom gray, when darkness falls, colors slowly mutate Alarms sound like death, clocks tick-tock away, … Read more

“A Common Occurrence” by Victor Orta

Roadside bombs, also known as IEDs (improvised explosive devices), were the biggest threat to the U.S. Military during Operation Iraq Freedom III. What follows is an account of what took place in April of 2005, during a sniper insertion leaving FOB Kalsu (Forward Operating Base Kalsu), when a four-vehicle convoy was hit with an IED. … Read more

“Homecoming” by Christina Lavingia

Dear Paul, Today, you’re coming home. We haven’t seen you since your days of being a corporate CPA, living the destiny more often taken by college graduates. Many emotions are coursing through me at this instant. I’m overwhelmed with excitement to see you; I’m scared of how you’ll look; will you act differently around me? … Read more

“Go-Fast” by Ben Hatcher

After spending a year at Small Boat Station Pensacola, Florida, conducting search and rescue and minor law enforcement, I was sent to Law Enforcement School. The school presented the ins and outs of past cases in law enforcement. The school covered all the past mistakes and success stories about drug trafficking. What struck a chord … Read more