No Longer Wishing I Were-Homeward Bound, Paul and Ar

As my stomach lifted along with my feet, I peered out past the silhouette of a precariously perched and balanced individual. The lights, both white and orange became smaller and more, disrupted beautifully by the exhaust of the helicopter. Further and further we rose into the moonlit Arabian night, perhaps my last ever. Eastern Baghdad, furthering from view and no longer recognizable by the normal means of on the ground encounters. Deployment over, the weight of it lifting off the shoulders like the lift of the helicopter. Fast and smooth.

The ride out of Loyalty to BIAP wasn't very long, but the 7 minutes were certainly enjoyable. Sitting at the end of the Chinook, with the door wide open, the views only obstruction an individual with a futuristic helmet, his cat like seat he had taken, and the machine gun. The view as beautiful as ever. Clear skies with a near full moon, and the cities last breath still in my lungs.

The night had almost not been so perfect, and fear and trepidation had consumed me most of the time. After arriving at Loyalty, our platoon incomplete, still missing one. Lt. Nelson on the last mission for any Misfit. We sat uncomfortably on the gravel, our stomachs full from a much needed decent meal. We waited, and hurried like we have always been trained to do. Unsure if we were even leaving, due to the 120+ spear chuckers who were taking our seats on the birds. We lucked out, and the little room they had left, just enough for a dozen of us and a few more.

Landing in BIAP is a great feeling, knowing that you are in the 'green zone' and nearly all the way out of harms way. A day spent with good food and more options than any of us know what to do with, was as enjoyed as could be. In limbo, waiting to go home. The longest days of deployment are surely to come. The bullshit continues with fresh haircuts and clean uniforms, and as close as garrison life is, it's already started to take over.

The frustrations, and anger have settled a little, or at least more easily controlled. With so much moving at the speed of sound, and so much else moving at the speed of snail, you find yourself holding tight to the dream of distant light. It's ever so close. Stayin' as happy as possible, smelling the bullshit and sometimes bathing in it too. Almost done, almost home. It's starting to feel real. Do my best to forget and live this lie. Done, done, done the siren calls.


Somehow, I'll survive though this night be a long one. Waiting on the sun that just won't come.