WELCOME TO BONE INTERPRISES

SELECTED WRITINGS OF

HENRY EGELSTON

THE BEAR

People ask if I am a vet. I've never doctored an animal, but I answer "You Bet." You see I have met and fought the bear over there. Some times you got the Bear, Some times he got you. Well this was a big Bear and he got quite a few. The Iron Triangle was his stomping ground. He got you there if you were ditty bopping 'round. The Ashaw Valley is where he fed. He was always hungry, just count the dead. We talk of the Parrots Beak. That's where the Bear took the weak. We remember the Razor Backs. How brave men made him fat. We think of the Hobo Wood. And how it seemed the bear only took the good. We were told we were a big Bear hunter. And believed it right up til the Bear put us under. We're home now, safe from the Bear, to start our lives anew. But the Bear came home with us and he still takes quite a few. Fuck those who never fought the Bear, let them shit heads whine and cry. But lift your glass and toast the vets who fought the Bear and didn't die.

PRAYER

I am an outcast. I have and want, no friend. A casualty of a long lost war that will never end. I once walked with kings on a jungle trail. Now my life has become a living hell. So those of you who are alive, Pray for us who want to die. Do not cry for us, it's for the best. For only then can our soul's get rest.

sleep

The hour grows late, I'm afraid to sleep. In my dreams a forgotten war will creep. I'll be back in the mud, the blood and gore. Where death was always knocking at my door. The memories of the steamy jungles in that land. Always carrying a weapon to fight the boogie man. I see the Faces of men who are no more. Taken in the prime in an unnecessary war. They are better off then me. They sleep without dreams, They are Free.

A Fellow Warrior

I ventured out into the world just the other day. I tried my best to keep aloof, out of the livings' way. Then I saw him across the street, he had that special look. A fellow warrior with horror stories you couldn't print in a book. Another creature that hid in the shadows and never felt at home. A man like me, who in a crowd still felt he was alone. He wore a uniforme of the past, the army of the dead. Old field jacket, jungle boots and cover on his head. Suddenly I felt a chill, it went down to the bone. In both our lives we had missed the freedom bird back home. We had both abused our bodies, useless without a brain. Alcohol and drugs had helped ease the pain. No words was passed between us, we didn't even wave. We were alike, two lost soles, longing for the grave. I turned and scurried down the street. I needed to get back to my retreat. All of a sudden I began to flashback sights, sounds, smells, then every thing went black. Then he came pushing through the crowd, bent over me and said in a voice, not very loud. "Here Brother let me help you", he offered me his hand. "For we have formed a bond in a far off foreign land". A grin slowly formed upon his face. My heart continued to race. "Don't worry Brother, it's no big deal, we've all been there, we know how you feel". I parted his company and went to my safe zone. To ponder his words at home. all alone