Monday, July 2, 2007

...
What just happened? I stiffly push myself off the ground. All I hear is ringing, all I see is a white light. I can smell burning and gun power. I think things just went from bad to worse.
I fall back against a wall coughing; I think I have a broken rib. Someone’s shaking me. Damn that hurts stop. They did. I must have said my thought out loud. Fuck I don’t know anymore.
There was an explosion. We were on patrol and an IED went off. I am the gunner, it must not have hit my vehicle. So why the hell am I on the ground and in pain? Well, the ringing has stopped, but I still can’t hear shit. Now that you mention it, my leg don’t feel to hot.
I slowly feel down my hip and follow it to the pain, it was wet and there was something sticking out. Yay. Just what I need. Can’t see, broken ribs, no hearing, and now shrapnel in my leg.
Maybe my sight is coming back; the light is dimmer. I wish this person wouldn’t drag me, but if the gun powder means anything we are probably under fire. I check my other leg, good I still have my side arm. It would suck if I had no weapon.
It all sounds muffled now. Like I am under water. Not much I can do. The blurry vision ain’t helping either. Damn I feel useless. I wonder if they called a 9-line for me. For that matter, I wonder if anyone is worse off.
People are now examining my leg. Dudes, it’s bleeding so stop poking it. I sound like a deaf-mute trying to talk. But the blurs of people did stop. I look around where I now sit. I must be in one of the buildings since I can’t see the sky. The oddly blue blur must be a chem-light.
Oh! I’m being moved again. The chopper must be here. I am laid down on a stretcher and carried out of the building. Outside wait blurs of people I presume are medics. The wind from the propeller is strong and is blowing sand at me. The sound is very muffled and kinda annoying. The medics help put me into the chopper. Someone is next to me. I guess I’m not the only one.
I can feel the chopper take off after the medics get in. We’re off to the nearest base. Given my injuries I’ll just be patched up and given a little rest time. Maybe a month or two in Germany. Then I’ll be back here for more. It’s a war out there. I wouldn’t expect any less.



***

This story was inspired by a fellow soldier of Nana. So while the situation is basically true, the thoughts are written with his telling of it in mind.


NNM
Early in the morning risin' to the street
Light me up that cigarette and I strap shoes on my feet
Got to find a reason a reason things went wrong
Got to find a reason why my money's all gone
But I got a dalmatian and I can still get high
I can play the guitar like a mother fuckin riot
Life is too short so love the one you got cause you might get
runover or you might get shot
Never start no static
I just get it off my chest
Never had to battle with no bulletproof vest
Take a small example
A tip from me take all of your money and give it up to charity
Lovin's what I got
It's within my reach
And the sublime style's still straight from long beach
It all comes back to you you're gonna get what you deserve
Try and test that you're bound to get served
Love's what I got
Don't start a riot
You feel it when the dance gets hot
That's why I don't cry when my dog runs away
I don't get angry at the bills I have to pay
I don't get angry when my Mom smokes pot, hits
the bottle and goes back to the rock
Fuckin and fighting it's all the same
Livin' with Louie dog's the only way to stay sane
Let the lovin come back to me

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