“Honorable”

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by Leeor Margalit

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(“Honorable” mobile version)

It was a Tuesday
when I was honorably discharged from the military
and yet it felt anything but honorable
walking to the bus stop, my three bags
heavy and dragging
to wait an entire hour for my bus,
which took me to a station
where I took another bus
which took me to a stop
where I took another bus
which took me
home.
On Wednesday I woke up at 5
just like I always do
only this time there was no reason to get out of bed
so I stayed
for an additional three hours and 42 minutes
and when I finally did get up
I almost polished my boots.
Almost.
And my friends ask me why I’m not happy
why I’m not excited …
“Don’t you feel so much lighter?”
Of course I do.
So much lighter that I am trying to anchor my soul back down to Earth
these days it drifts like a helium balloon.
“Don’t you feel so much lighter?”
of course.
but I’d rather be heavy
than empty.

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