Omar Columbus
US AIR FORCE
Omar is an artist, advocate, curator, and Air Force veteran originally from North Carolina, now residing in Rancho Mirage, California. After 12 years of service and seeking healing from PTSD, Omar turned to poetry and photography as creative outlets. A Brooklyn College graduate, he spent 14 years in NYC writing and performing his poetry at notable venues like the New York City Poetry Festival and the Geraldine Dodge Poetry Festival. In 2020, he curated his first national veteran art show, "From There to Here: Military Veterans' Experiences," and has since curated several exhibitions. Since moving to the Coachella Valley, Omar has facilitated writing workshops for veterans and continues performing poetry with organizations like VETART. Recently, he advocated before Congress for veteran arts programs through Americans for the Arts. Omar is committed to helping veterans express themselves through art and storytelling.
Cockcrow
The assault begins at cockcrow–
boys in the sand sent to kill boys in the sand.
Scared is the feeling,
bravery is their reaction.
They discard selfdom,
relying on each other
to survive and fight,
while asked to kill for others.
Uniformity stripped individual identities–
assimilating men into a collective being.
The donning of cryptic patterns–
dark brown, pale green and beige–
blending their flesh and surroundings.
No way to truly understand:
Human shells following orders
covertly moving through the sand.
The rising sun blisters the desert floor,
frying the ground beneath combat boots —
where they stand sizzling–
an inescapable heat most of them
had never experienced before.
Sweat pops off of their foreheads
like bacon grease leaps from a hot skillet.
In steadfast muster– backs against the wall,
shoulder-to-shoulder.
Packed tighter than sardines–
in a tin can with no room left to add hot sauce.
War-morals issued inside of a to-go box–
served scattered, covered, smothered.
Forced to divert lone beliefs–
for the sake of a nation.
Desensitized to suffering and pain.
Only camouflaged hearts remain.
Concealing and masking emotions
disguised as patriotism.
Severed from personal compassion,
disjointed from humanity.
Mouths dripping with their sacrifices.