Make Joyful Noise

I found my
Company D
Group photo from
Basic Training
Yesterday

PVT Jackson
Had written
This message
On the back

To Hutchison
(the songbird)
You are a very
Sweet person
Stay the same
And you will
Succeed in life

Reading this
Brings back
Memories
Choking
Stifling

PVT Hutchison
All but
Disappeared
Faded away
In Colorado

Sexual harassment
Smote her songbird
Ripped her voice
Right from her
Vulnerable throat
Like Ursula the Sea Witch
From The Little Mermaid

I long to
Hug
That younger version
Of myself
Protect her
Give her
Flight

Untether
The dove
And make
Joyful noise

©2014 Jill Baker