Mary E. Rogers
FACES
“Faces” ©Copyright 2004 by Bernie “Doc” DuffDesperation to save a brother’s life…
Constantly fleeting while minutes tick slowly by
Minutes seem like hours as each one passes
Silence echoes while the faces scream why
Touching… wanting to feel that hope is alive
The faintest of heartbeat signals time remains
Waiting, waiting, for the chopper to whisk him away
To care for his wounds and take away his pain
The look of desperation will never leave the eyes
Even if the chopper miraculously comes in time
No matter what the outcome of this day
This moment of anguish will remain in the mind
Chopper sounds have not broken the jungle silence
Only Angel’s wings are winnowing in the air
Too late… too late… to help my brother
Life is replaced with the thousand yard stare
©Copyright June 21, 2004 by Mary E. Rogers
Author’s Note: Bernie Duff so graciously honored me by allowing me to create a website for his paintings, even though I am no professional. He has always given me a description for each painting. I recently added two new ones to the website (http://www.geocities.com/bernie_doc/Vietnam.html), “Faces” and “The Last Breath”. His paintings have put a face on my husband’s PTSD, and allowed me so much more understanding of why he never could completely bring his entire mind home to me.
Bernie has not offered an explanation to his new painting titled “Faces” and seems reluctant to do so… I was not there and so I have no idea what this painting represents to Bernie. Today as I looked at it, this poem represents my interpretation of Bernie’s thoughts.
Mary E. Rogers: June 21, 2004