SFC Alexander R. Stewart | A Soldier's Unspoken Words

The drill instructor talks about releasing his first book, which is a collection of 50 poems focusing on the issues soldiers face.

The brave men and women who serve in the United States military deal with a lot during their service and long after their career has ended. Most of them suffer in silence, dealing with issues such as PTSD. Sergeant First Class Alexander Stewart, who is currently serving as a drill instructor in Fort Moore, Georgia, has experienced firsthand much of what soldiers have gone through. His family has more than 300 years of service, and Stewart has 10 years of experience himself — having served tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. His upcoming debut book, “Unspoken Words: The Thoughts of a Soldier,” which will hit bookshelves on March 12, is a short collection of 50 poems that he is hoping will help “bridge the gap between military and civilians,” Stewart said in an email exchange.

“I personally understand the internal struggle that those around us cannot see, and thus I wrote this collection of poems in order to help veterans and active members of the military understand their emotions and potentially deal with them in their own way through my words. The book allows a military spouse, child, parent, or friend to see the world through the eyes of a soldier. Through the words, they will see what we've seen, experience what we've experienced, and learn to understand why the mind of a military member is the way that it is or why military members act the way that they act.”

Stewart added that another reason he wanted to write this book is for military personnel to see that there are others who can help them with what they are experiencing.

“I hope that those who are struggling but cannot find the words to describe what they are going through can find solace and comfort in my words, and potentially become encouraged to seek help.  The poetry within the book covers issues related to post-traumatic stress disorder and some of the causation behind its development for soldiers.  The book also has a number of funny, motivational, and patriotic poems as well that are geared more towards providing readers with a whimsical look at some of the events Soldiers deal with, such as a spouse cheating on a soldier while they're fighting overseas.”

Writing poetry was not something that Stewart had thought of doing, he noted, until it became a requirement for one of his college courses. It was then that he discovered a new skill he never knew he had.

“After writing my poem ‘Alarm,’ I realized that I had a gift for writing and wanted to continue writing down things that I struggled with in the military. I did this not only as a form of expression, but as a form of therapy for myself as well.”

As for the advice Stewart has for those looking to write their first book, he notes that people should have passion in what it is they want to write.

“That passion that you have for what you are writing will be reflected within your work.  Your readers will be able to see it through your words and it will make them feel what you feel as well as help them relate to what you are saying.” 

Stewart added that people should also know the type of audience they intend to reach when they want to write their first book.

“If you have a clear vision for your writing and how you would like to see it used out in the world, you will be able to ensure that the right people are made aware of the work and also ensure that you are talking to the right people when promoting it.”

Lastly, Stewart said that people should be able to enjoy what it is they are writing.

“Writing, if it is something that you want to do, needs to remain as a fun release for you or you may end up resenting it in the end.  At the end of the day, writing allows an author to process, vent, or release thoughts and emotions that may have otherwise remained unspoken.  It is important that writers also remember that writing can be a healthy release as well, and as you heal through writing your work others may heal through reading it.”

Stewart added that he is working with the military’s behavioral health realm and Chaplain Corps to possibly provide free copies of his book to those seeking help from either outlet. He is currently writing another collection of 50 military-related poems, but they will focus on different topics that those discussed in “Unspoken Words.”

To learn more about Alexander Stewart, be sure to follow his Facebook page. You can pre-order “Unspoken Words” on Amazon, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, or wherever books are sold.

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