Shut Out the Lights

Photo untitled and unattributed

As we are starting to see some of our troops come home, I wonder how they are doing. I know one soldier who went to Iraq twice and his transitions home have been very difficult. On this Independence Day, I want to reflect on the woman and men returning from horrors we can not imagine. I probably cant comprehend what they saw and what they may have had to do while over there. So sad.

I heard the song, Shut Out the Lights, by Bruce Springsteen on the way home from the mountains. Listening to the lyrics about pain of the main character of the song is hard. Listening to the words about the awkward pain of the family makes it even harder. No one knows how to be with him, including himself.

Shut Out the Lights
Bruce Springsteen

The runway rushed up at him as he felt the wheels touch down
He stood out on the blacktop and took a taxi into town
He got out down on Main Street and went into a local bar
He bought a drink and found a seat in a corner off the dark
Well she called up her mama to make sure the kids were out of the house
She checked herself out in the dining room mirror
And undid an extra button on her blouse
He felt her lying next to him, the clock said 4:00 am
He was staring at the ceiling
He couldn't move his hands

CHORUS
Oh mama mama mama come quick
I've got the shakes and I'm gonna be sick
Throw your arms around me in the cold dark night
Hey now mama don't shut out the light
Don't you shut out the light
Don't you shut out the light
Don't you shut out the light
Don't you shut out the light

Well on his porch they stretched a banner that said "Johnny Welcome Home"
Bobby pulled his Ford out of the garage and they polished up the chrome
His mama said "Johnny oh Johnny, I'm so glad to have you back with me"
His pa said he was sure they'd give him his job back down at the factory

CHORUS

Well deep in a dark forest, a forest filled with rain
Beyond a stretch of Maryland pines there's a river without a name
In the cold black water Johnson Lineir stands
He stares across the lights of the city and dreams of where he's been

Returning Coffins at Dover
Defense Department Photo