Col. (Ret.) Nate Slate: An Oasis in the Desert of War
Deployments into a combat zone are challenging for military families. It’s not just that the military member is away for a long time; the element of danger heightens the sense of reality. There is that ever-present shadow of the unknown.
If the family is close, they deal with this together in the time leading up to the departure. What happens after the departure is the magical part. A sense of connection remains – a sense that in some way, they are with you – sharing the experience – maintaining the continuity.
After a long, challenging day in the searing heat, a moment of respite can bring with it a sense of spiritual awareness. Looking into the vast desert, night sky, you know that on the other side of the planet, the sun is shining. Yet the moon can be seen in both skies. At once, the planet seems very large and yet very small.
Whether fatigue or enlightenment, momentary surrender becomes sublime. It becomes possible to travel upon the wings of imagination to the other side of the world and look in on loved ones. The scenery was so very vivid – the feelings so poignant.
These visits did not last long – maybe only a few minutes. But they were very refreshing. I likened them to a very thirsty desert traveler finding cool water beneath a tropical oasis.
After this short break, I would be ready to continue the march. I would be recommitted to the challenge – recommitted to the mission at hand.
OASIS
Deployments into a combat zone are challenging for military families. It’s not just that the military member is away for a long time; the element of danger heightens the sense of reality. There is that ever-present shadow of the unknown.
If the family is close, they deal with this together in the time leading up to the departure. What happens after the departure is the magical part. A sense of connection remains – a sense that in some way, they are with you – sharing the experience – maintaining the continuity.
After a long, challenging day in the searing heat, a moment of respite can bring with it a sense of spiritual awareness. Looking into the vast desert, night sky, you know that on the other side of the planet, the sun is shining. Yet the moon can be seen in both skies. At once, the planet seems very large and yet very small.
Whether fatigue or enlightenment, momentary surrender becomes sublime. It becomes possible to travel upon the wings of imagination to the other side of the world and look in on loved ones. The scenery was so very vivid – the feelings so poignant.
These visits did not last long – maybe only a few minutes. But they were very refreshing. I likened them to a very thirsty desert traveler finding cool water beneath a tropical oasis.
After this short break, I would be ready to continue the march. I would be recommitted to the challenge – recommitted to the mission at hand.
OASIS
Alone
beneath a desert night sky
heaven is alive
with brilliant smiling suns
Thousands of miles
from your embrace
I see your eyes twinkle
across our shared infinity
Parched lips thirst
for your kiss
breath the spiritual air
and feel for signs of your presence
I become one with the night mist
and join the stars
on a journey
to your doorstep
I quietly watch your day
occasionally, caressing your face
with a gentle passing breeze –
a glimpse, a reflection, a passing awareness
We see our children
little girls, young women
embrace life
and fill our hearts with joy
We share a panorama of reflection
a stream of consciousness
Our rivers join
and wash the stars
Refreshed by the visit
I return to the desert
thirst quenched
ready for the march
