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flooded war memories 2010 Janet Kuypers (poetry converted to prose)     it was st. patrick’s day, went to another country to see you. met up with you at a hotel — it was like we were never apart, we talked like old friends, old war-time veterans who fought in a war together, who shared our life stories while sitting in a trench together waiting for a bomb to strike.     it was st. patrick’s day, and everything seemed normal and right, even though you lived far away and even though we had different life plans.     it was st. patrick’s day, i remember you laying down in the bath tub, like a little boy, splashing and playing in the water, not even flinching that i was there talking to you, while you were naked in the tub.     it was st. patrick’s day, i wanted to get out, see the town. and you didn’t want to move, content in a dingy hotel room.     all i could think was that it was st. patrick’s day, and i was in another country, i wanted to get up and go... and i don’t know what snapped in you on st. patick’s day, but i was in a dress, ready to go, and you knocked me down. i remember being knocked on to one of those hotel beds in my panty hose and dress, and you strangled me. it was like you were in the war again, and you were fighting to the death.     but i thought we were on the same side.     why are you trying to hurt me.     and like a bull dog that finally listened to the commands of their master, you finally stopped, and there i was, your ally, the one that sat in the trenches with you all those years ago...     torn panty hose, bloody knees...     i never thought you’d fight one of your buddies, i swear.     i got out and called for back up in the hotel lobby. at the pay phone an older woman came up to me, asking if i was all right.     her question stopped me from hyperventilating.     i looked down at my torn hose, bloody knees... and I said, i’m fine.     i just knew i had to get out of there before more shells fell. Also look for thie writing in the poetry section of the Janet Kuypers poetry vaults, to see this writing with different line breaks. Copyright © 2010 Janet Kuypers. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission.