Peace and Violence
Like a paradox of day and night, Yin and Yang, life out here is very much a measure of extremes.
Having had a long and early morning, I ended up sleeping off most of the day, but was thrilled to see the effects of the recent weather. Rain had washed away the dust in the air and left behind green fields all around, and clear air, so that you could see the mountains off in the distance. All day, the skies were filled with tumultuous clouds turning in the air, and the blue haze was beautiful. Even as darkness fell, I spent most of it watching the clouds sail overhead, colored by the setting sun, vibrant oranges, pinks, and violets. The site was beautiful, and the day relaxed. I spent part of it just sitting on the porch of the chow hall, under the shade of cammo netting, eating a meal and just staring out at the mountains, fields, villages, and skies all around. The wind that blew through was moist, and reminiscent of life on a beach.
That night was hell. The ground shuddered, the air screamed, and panic and chaos were the champions of some more sinister evil that threw itself into my life without warning. Mortars fell, gunfire pelted the walls, jet aircraft sailed overhead. Nonetheless, I survived, as did my brothers and sisters in arms, but there was no peace for us that night. It is only in the darkness of the hour that I can reflect, and wonder at the world around me. So calm on moment, so torrid the next.
Having had a long and early morning, I ended up sleeping off most of the day, but was thrilled to see the effects of the recent weather. Rain had washed away the dust in the air and left behind green fields all around, and clear air, so that you could see the mountains off in the distance. All day, the skies were filled with tumultuous clouds turning in the air, and the blue haze was beautiful. Even as darkness fell, I spent most of it watching the clouds sail overhead, colored by the setting sun, vibrant oranges, pinks, and violets. The site was beautiful, and the day relaxed. I spent part of it just sitting on the porch of the chow hall, under the shade of cammo netting, eating a meal and just staring out at the mountains, fields, villages, and skies all around. The wind that blew through was moist, and reminiscent of life on a beach.
That night was hell. The ground shuddered, the air screamed, and panic and chaos were the champions of some more sinister evil that threw itself into my life without warning. Mortars fell, gunfire pelted the walls, jet aircraft sailed overhead. Nonetheless, I survived, as did my brothers and sisters in arms, but there was no peace for us that night. It is only in the darkness of the hour that I can reflect, and wonder at the world around me. So calm on moment, so torrid the next.