I can still see it.
I hit him with a burst from my M16.
He jumped up and danced.
Everything gray.
Bamboo stood silent
and lowered its leaves.
The earth stood still.
Breathe! I said.
Breathe!

Richard Epstein

Richard Epstein is the editor of two veteran anthologies. He co-hosted a poetry workshop at Walter Reed National Medical Center. His work has appeared in several issues of O-Dark-Thirty, DEROS, Incoming, A Common Bond, Beltway Poetry Journal, Schuylkill Valley Journal and others. For many years Richard hosted an open mic venue on the National Mall adjacent to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.