Carla at the Veterans Crisis Line
tells me she has never met with negativity like mine
I didn’t tell her I’ve met plenty of cross-dressing sockcuckers
whose negativity outshone my own by miles & miles
Fuck, I’m just a putz next to some of these guys
However, she was impressed enough to ask me next
if I had any firearms in the house
I hesitated for a split-second and, of course, she knew what that meant
she switched into full-blown “Listen & Help” mode so smoothly
& so precisely that it almost slipped my notice
Carla is experienced, knows her shit & has it solid & together
she is no kid, has been around more than one block,
and spends her days voluntarily involving herself
in the lives of wrecked & fucked up vets
that takes heart, that takes courage
two days after talking to Carla
the demons have gone quiet
I am still alive, the guns remain untouched,
Thank You, Carla
