Poet Beauregard Storm started writing and rhyming as a part of art therapy. As a Veteran, he would like to share this piece with those who have PTSD and tell them this: “Never give up the fight to find yourself again. Never let anyone take away your pride in your service.”

This is a powerful piece of writing; we feel honored to share it with you.

The Glass by Beauregard Storm

Three times I was asked the age old question

Was the glass half full or half empty

Always afraid of a trick, I could not make sense of the axiom

The possibility of either did make me think a plenty

–

One day, two friends came over for drinks and filled theirs to the brim

I took my own glass, curiously looked, and filled mine halfway

Not to boast, but asked for a toast, and let out a grin

I asked them the same question, each one, to let them say

–

Both were concerned for me and afraid of my mental disorder

I drank, drained the glass, and washed it in the sink

I finally had made myself think it through in logical order

I saw it as both, neither, and a tool from with which to drink

–

I saw optimism as always being naive and ‘exactly’ half full

I saw pessimism as always being ‘exactly’ half empty and no fun

I saw realism as the glass is just a glass with the question void and null

Opportunism is all three combined and my answer is done.

–

It is only because of freedom bought by our veterans that we may not have known

That we get to own, keep, share, and drink from such a thing as our own glass

I have also stood the watch for 20 years – even though I did not make it on my own

So I reserve the right to use the glass that I bought with my shares, to drink, share, and or smash

–

My glass again sat upon my shelf

I drank from it all alone

I washed it all by myself

Because it is mine to own