Before and After - Ben Hedges

Before and After

i.
The doors open, folding in on themselves,
a yellow carriage carrying the weary and worn
returning from a mandated eternity.
They’ve seen hell with breath still in their lungs
now they come back for hopes of heaven.
They stand in uniform, move in uniform,
across the charter threshold,
The driver extends gratitude,
not enough to cover their actions.

ii.
A man exits, his black boots taste the surface of home.
A good Christian.
His body always untouched by toxins.
Striking a match, he lights a Camel,
trying to trade a physical poison,
for poisonous memories.

iii.
A man follows, his eyes take in the sights of what feels right.
A hard-edged behemoth.
Emotion a distant relative in his life.
His wife embraces, he crumbles,
his fatigues now a permanent home,
for tears from a stone face.

iv.
Another man follows, he takes in the air of a place nearly lost.
A young scout
So much yet to see and already a witness to so much.
His foundation approaches, armed with a smile and salute,
he returns the advance. A cub paying respect,
for a father’s guidance.