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