“I greatly enjoyed your reading in Saskatoon McNally Robinson, with the launch of your latest book of poetry, Afghanistan Confessions, which I purchased. What amazed me with the work that you read is this: I realized that for the first time, I was *feeling* strong empathy for soldiers. Not till I felt this last Monday, did I realize that I had not had empathy for any military people. I felt like I was there with them, that I knew them closely, that I felt their pain, their stress, their love. Your writing entered their human/humane core in a striking manner…
image by Allan Harding Mackay
In my mother’s genealogical lineage, there were a number of men who joined the army, including one uncle and several great-uncles. But I do remember that I have not heard a word about their experiences at any time, ever… and my maternal grandfather disowned the army son for quite some years apparently too, and I gather that may be one of the reasons that silence about the military experience was expected. ”
– Martha.E. Zacharias.