Medic Against Bomb: A Doctor's Poetry of War

MWSA Review

Medic Against Bomb is Frederick Foote’s book subtitled: A Doctor’s Poetry of War. He is a retired U.S. Navy physician. The thing that impressed me is that he is the director of the Warrior Poetry Project at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Through his book, he is leading by example, in showing his readers how writing can bring healing.

The book is divided into three sections. The first being “Contact,” which describes  experiences of treating the wounded. Part two is “Battle Fugue,” tells readers about the experiences of combat as seen by those engaged in combat. And the third section, “Ruins of Peace,” share the themes of loss and mourning. A number of poems are written for individuals, and I was impressed to see women of war honored via these poems.

Poetry of war, in its essence, cannot be an “easy” read; Medic Against Bomb takes us to the heart and soul of warriors who have sacrificed their lives and/or those who have “survived” war but lost limbs or maybe even “lost their souls” due to the effects of war, but still are “alive” to face their world, being lonely and misunderstood. We see the war through the eyes of the warrior and those who served to care for them.

This book of poetry could bring healing to those hurting and understanding to those of us who have never come close to any of these experiences. Thank you, Frederick Foote, for sharing poems from your heart, as painful as it must have been for you to sometimes put pen to paper.

Reviewed by: Joyce Gilmour (2015)

Author's Summary

A book of original poetry honoring our Nation's Wounded Warriors and the deeds of our military and V.A. healers. Won the Grayson Books Poetry prize and was published 15 October, 2014.