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Open Poetry #27
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after the noise (warning...rough subject matter)
| Open Poetry #27 |
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after the noise (warning...rough subject matter) |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia 
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I slammed the door just in time... as all the world suddenly turned dark, and the stench filled smoke billowed through the cracks in the heavy wooden door amidst the screams... loud enough to echo, reverberating, bouncing off the inside of my skull, through my pores, from my fingertips as I goughed myself in the agony of reality. No ecstasy here. The bomb went off so close behind my footfall. I never realized how the ground could shake and scream and shudder. And then I remembered the eleven year old Arab girl who had been walking behind me on the Via de la Rosa. And I cried to the heavens above, to the stars and the moon and I stomped my feet at Hell's gate, demanding an answer. Only deafening silence followed. The coffin was very small. The funeral procession was equally small. The mother's tears were a monsoon. And when I left Jerusalem the next day, part of my heart remained on that street, and I still weep for that young girl. [This message has been edited by Midnitesun (07-07-2003 12:58 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved | |||
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Kacy: I am not very good at following diections or listening to warnings . . . TG All I can say is bless you both This was just wrong . . . xxoo |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
It has taken me half a lifetime to write about this. Sue, thank you, for taking a moment to read and reply. War is not nice. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Midnite...I'm glad you are finally able to write about this, and can only feel through your words what it must have been like. There are no adequate words. Hugs. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Thank you for that hug, Martie. I needed one tonight.  |
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bbent Senior Member
since 2001-01-07
Posts 521Alaska |
you did a good job of describing the horrors of what seems like life's injustices.i really have nothing to say except that when dealing with some memories i can only think of an old serenity prayer...God grant me the serenety to acceppt the things i can not change,the courage to change trhe things i can and the wisdom to know the difference...hope your sharing the experience helps you feel better and you never know who else might have benifitted from it...took courage to post this,i'm glad you did...  Live like it's your last day... |
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freespirit Junior Member
since 2003-07-03
Posts 24USA |
Sorry you had to experience that Midnitesun. Hope writing about it has given you a little freedom from it. |
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peppermint35 Senior Member
since 2000-05-28
Posts 1106Texas, USA |
Bad things happen to good people for no apparent reason; it's the only philosophy I can palate concerning something this horrifying.. I too hope that expressing it gave you some surcease from the pain and the wondering why.. A powerful write indeed. Pepper |
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QjQ Member Elite
since 2003-04-18
Posts 3756U.S.A. |
memory's as this no one needs,, you have portrayed this well.. heres one i wrote a time ago.. Terror & War Distant sounds rumbling in the night. Flashes glow in the glimmering sky, as dawn shows a silhouette of smoke. Breezes drift the stench of burning. The dawn paints no portraits of those left in the darkness of terror and war. A voice of honesty |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
I do hope that the writing has exhorcised a demon here. I am happy for you, happy that you can write of this...finally. Take care you Ed |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
 I never heed warnings |
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Bonfirelight Member
since 2003-06-19
Posts 85London, England |
harsh. but powerful, and necessary. If the world could feel the pain you seem to have felt then maybe they'd feel the compassion too. writing like this lets them feel the pain without bloodshed. good job. |
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brian sites Senior Member
since 2002-06-25
Posts 1475usa |
you lived yet this scarred you deeply thank you Kacy hug |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
Survival is a longer carried heavier burden. Sometimes getting out does help. For your sake, I hope so. |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Powerful piece Kacy, took alot of strength and courage to write but I'm glad you felt could share it with us. Peace |
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Wind
since 2002-10-12
Posts 2981 |
oh god. That's just horrible. I can't believe you had to wittness something that awwful. I said I'm going to buy a gun and start a war, |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Thanks to each of you for reading and commenting. Yes, it is a difficult memory, one I know so many soldiers and civilians in war-torn countries deal with daily. Wishing you all Peace. |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
You witnessed it firsthand, and so you know the truth..... "We will only have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us." -Golda Meir- Such a shame that an innocent girl had to die such an empty death. It's a worse shame that the person who killed her didn't care, and was probably disappointed that you didn't die too. That you do care despite that fact says much, and all of it good. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Thank you, Ed. Unfortunately, what you wrote about the perpetrator is true. Namaste, Peace to all. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
A nice expression of this experience...James |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
"And I cried to the heavens above, to the stars and the moon and I stomped my feet at Hell's gate, demanding an answer. Only deafening silence followed." A very powerful and poignant piece, Kacy. You've expressed this with strength. The imagery in your phrase "stomped my feet at Hell's gate" was exceptional. Really well done!  Best wishes, /Kit |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Thanks, James, for taking a moment to read this, even though it's a painful read Thank you Kit, for taking time to read and reply. I really did stomp my feet, and I also did a lot of screaming and gesturing. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
It takes a great deal of courage to live through something like this and even a great deal more to express it in words for all the world to see. God bless you for your courage |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Ruth, thank you. Unfortunately, many children have also experienced this kind of violence. I hate to think of the nightmares they must have. On another note, it's good to see you here. Hope all is going well with you. |
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anwaarhassan Member
since 2003-07-09
Posts 181Menifee, CA |
This is a very moving and emotionally tragic piece...you express your feelings well not only on the bomb exploding but also your empathy for the arab girl...Very nicely done..! Anwaar. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Thank you, Anwaar, for reading and commenting. |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
Kacy: So vivid were your words that shivers raised my skin, and tears flowed my eyes. Could only pray. TD |
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garysgirl 
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Kacy, your words have so much feeling that it was like seeing this happening on the screen. You are absolutely right, it is "rough subject matter". It hurt to read, but I know that it hurt even more to live through and to still be remembering so vividly. I know that experiences like this could never completely leave your mind. I really and truly hope that it helped some for you to write of this terrible experience, my friend. Heart hugs to you  Ethel |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
TD and Ethel, thank you for your time and warm replies. Yes, writing does help. |
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