Nana Kate

(picture of a young combat nurse)

An innocent face 

stares out at me
innocent 

yet has seen 

everything...

The (soldiers’) screams 

still echo in her ears.

She sleeps on a cot, 

when she sleeps at all,

Uses her helmet 

like a sink 

to wash her hair...

It doesn't show 

her bloodstained hands
the pain she feels 

for the men 

needing them,

The five battle stars

she receives

for her courage, 

or the countless 

smiles of (helpless)

appreciation.

Soon she will marry, 

become a mother 

of seven...

a Grandmother 

a Great-grandmother.

She knows none of this,
This young girl
In the middle 

of a war.

—-

Written (2004) in honor of My Nana, WWII Combat Nurse, Lt Katherine Flynn (Nolan). She served in European Theater all 5 battles including the Battle of the Bulge. She had 3 sons (including my father) who all served in the military, and a granddaughter too. #warpoetry #militarypoems

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14627960

Reposting in response to US President 45 continuously insulting our military members and their families. #WeRespectVets #86-45 

#FightAmericanFascism 

#VoteBlue2020