The Past, Our Future

The past holds a lot;
bricks, stones, dark alleys.

Future: Uncertainty
Past: Anxiety

And then a friend says,
“Remember our past?

Remember the team week,
the rain, the ruck, the logs.

Remember failing, yet not?”
The past conditions, bearable, together
Our future, bearable, together.

“Not bearable?” he says. “Ruck up.”
“Suck it up. Ranger the fuck up.”

One foot in front of the other,
in footprints of those before.

Footsteps left in rice paddies and mud
Footsteps left in sand.

Footprints to mark the way,
your footprints will serve the way
For others to follow your past,

Our future.

Marshall McGurk served nearly five years with the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) after a stint with the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized). He enjoys scotch, cigars, good books, foreign films, and critical thinking. He is passionate about international relations, domestic affairs, and successful veteran transition. He serves in the Army Reserve. Email him at mtmcgurk@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter.