Carissa DePietro (right) with Nancy Smith-Watson
Wounds of a Soldier
by Carissa DePietro
The wounds of a soldier
Run deep to the soul
The scars that they bare
Our stories untold.
The darkest moments
Civilians don't see
For they do not know
The depths that we grieve.
One moment so proud
We're all standing tall
The next in a corner
Broken, so small.
So what do we do
How do we breath
How do we move on
How can we be free
Step number one
so simple yet true
Listen to my story
it's right here for you.
John M. Buck (left) works a scene with FoC staff.
Vets' Voices
I need someone to talk to
Whether it’s the Lord or a lover
We all need someone to talk to, from time to time
Whether it’s a friend or a stranger
We all need someone to talk to from time to time
Whether it’s a stranger a friend the Lord or a lover
We all need someone to talk to from time to time
Then you will never be alone
And you will have a friend and the Lord
To talk to from time to time
We all need someone to talk to
Whether it’s a friend a stranger the Lord or a lover
We all need someone to talk to from time to time
John M. Buck, USMC
FoC Intensive, Oct. 2013
In memorium: Tomra Lynn Gorski attended our very first weekend intensive and the next six after that.The first weekend she missed was the weekend we lost her. She was our most devoted participant, fan and dear friend. She is always missed and never forgotten. FoC thanks you for your service.
Finding My Voice
When asked to sum up the Feast of Crispian in a few words, perhaps they didn’t think about who they asked to do this. This group and experience has so impacted my life that it is difficult to summarize easily.
From someone with almost dreaded thoughts of Shakespeare to rapidly turn into an enthusiast, is in my opinion a major part of the battle. I found an inner reserve of emotions that I now have a way to tap. A point found to access some of the pain and express it in a safe and healthy way. To attach my feelings to thoughts, not just verbalizing but opening up to let myself encounter the sentiment, as well as to having an empathetic response. I thereby was acknowledging those hidden or trapped emotions.
It created a gateway to grab onto some elusive emotion that may have been locked inside for years, sometimes without me being conscious of it, is an amazing discovery and such a blessing.
I have now participated in two of these weekends and hope to be asked to participate in as many as they will include me in. Thank you to all who made The Feast of Crispian a reality, I salute you.
Tomra Lynn Gorski
United States Air Force
Nicolette Fuller talks with FoC’s Jim Tasse
Don't have a partner.
Don't know any tunes.
Steps flit like phantoms
Of flashing harpoons.
The rhythms increase.
Beats pound in my head.
Eyes closed, unwilling,
Afraid of the dread . . .
Partners are set up.
The steps are laid out.
Conductors direct,
"Step farther; Don't doubt."
A soul in their hands,
My heart loses fear.
Steps: looser, bolder;
Some progress is clear.
Conductors provide
Their best tunes for us.
All of the dancers
Have added their plus.
Shakespeare Company
Have given kind hearts
To succor Veterans
Whose lives tore in parts.
They gave us tinctures
To heal our deep wounds.
We're proud; We're thankful
To dance to their tunes.
Nicolette Fuller
United States Army
In the process of putting together our ALL VETERAN production of Julius Caesar in 2015, we had the honor and pleasure of welcoming Darden Smith, Founder of Songwriting with Soldiers. Darden worked with our veterans who, inspired by the questions asked by Murellus calling out the fickle and ignorant citizens, came up with their own set of questions.
WHY GO TO WAR IN THE FIRST PLACE
Darden Smith / Veteran cast of JC
Chorus
Why go to war in the first place
Why take the children we raised
And send them off to war in the first place
Could there be a better way
Maybe it's a loaded question
But what makes you think you're right?
And why does everybody have to be like us?
Is it arrogance, is it pride?
What did I do to deserve this?
After all that I've done?
Why do you not welcome me?
Now that I've come home
How big was your anger?
How big was your rage?
Did you get what you needed?
Do you feel good today?
Coming from where we come from
Did we have a choice?
Why don't you see me?
Can you hear my voice?
If I was homeless, brother
Help me understand
Is it just because I'm a soldier
That you shake my hand?
Is it because I'm a woman
That you see me second best
You don't know what I've been through
Still you give me no respect
What about the ones not with us
What about the ones long gone
What about the ones that gave their lives
Who'll be singing their song
© 2015 Darden Smith Music
Darden also helped the veterans create an original cadence which then opened the show. 9.12.2015
Darden Smith/Veteran cast of JC
Back in 1599
Shakespeare wrote these fucking lines
Some are sacred some profane
Tonight we're playing Shakespeare's game
Cassius Brutus on one team
Then there is Marc Antony
In the middle Caesar stands
Many knives in many hands
They'd have all had longer lives
If they'd listened to their wives
Careful what you're wishing for
You let slip the dogs of war
Power games they never end
All are losers no one wins
Nothing ever is the same
Once the dogs are off the chain
Once the dogs are off the chain
Once the dogs are off the chain
Once the dogs are off the chain
© 2015 Darden Smith Music
