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For All Those Who Choose to Bend the Rules

From Wilfred Owen to Philip Larkin, war has always been a source of inspiration for poets, who search their minds and hearts for words that help themselves and other to come to terms with trauma and terror, as well as illuminating the surprising moments of beauty and peace that offer hope in even the darkest night. With Leave a Lower Lamp Lit, veteran Raymond Sylvester joins the ranks of poet-warriors, with these verses based on his experiences in the US Navy from 1967-1971 on board the USS Thor. His service on this cable repair ship took him to many special operations in the Pacific around Midway, Guam, Viet Nam, and other undisclosed locations. Personal yet universal, these poems explore not just the reality of war, but the deeper realities of humanity’s capacity for courage, endurance, rebellion, and individuality