My Journey from Soldier to Social Worker - Choka Haiku

by Donald McCasland, LMSW-CCTP

Soldiers, sharp like knives

Eager instruments of war

We wait in our sheath

Lives end, in a flash

Stench of burned rubber, flesh, blood

Cleaned truck, tarnished soul

I lived, others died

Dark clouds in my head and heart

Love and joy obscured

Return- lost… alone

Home in body, not spirit

Dark… Light. Death… Rebirth!

Warrior Elder

Walks on paths with those who strive

To claim honor earned

Brothers and Sisters

Join the battle for their souls

We emerge victorious

Donald McCasland, LMSW-CCTP, is a retired U.S. Army veteran of three tours in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division who now works with fellow veterans who struggle with trauma as he once did.