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Open Poetry #36
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LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296


0 posted 2005-07-01 11:31 AM


Somewhere...Where the Winds Blow

An African sun, resting in a rug sac of the sky
painting rippling waves of fever
bouncing off blackened concrete
like polished metal
burning end-of-summer blue grass
like a torch…
flexing it’s breath with sweat & oppression
during this 4th of July celebration….
as old men rise, to speak,
each taking his turn, suppressing tears…

i wondered about the attic rooms of heaven
were they cool and
did they shake to, when shedding tears?
perhaps mine, puny in comparison

immediate satisfaction bedazzled my ears
hearing mementos of sweethearts
staring at the unknown white tombs

listening to the course silence overcoming
the crowd…in a faint, late afternoon voice
of the battle hymn of the republic

parting ways from this heat
with cranky voiced fixation
betraying inner feelings…and
pondering the anti-aircraft guns

shifting my weight from my left foot…

i saw soldiers flanking over shorelines
everything became real
and i knew….they shook when they cried
while peering into dark corners of trembling minds
within the chaos of battle

shrapnel promises rows of final farewell
habitual out-of-pocket assailants,
reloading weapons
in a place where killing
gets you,
a lifetime probation to hell…

ongoing explosions of battle

sounded in the distance

men sipping on their last cigarette

crying & screams, fill the air

for medics to repair endless chains of flesh

while gunfire scowls a deafening sarcasm

one you never forget

wide eyed stares turn into desperation
and malevolence
trembling hands, now feeling insane
certified, incarceration with death
their minds violently raped

shattering any illusion of freedom
for them….
battered and bruised corpses lay in multiples
tears…lifeless, evening shadows crawling across
blood pooled trenches of sorrow…fear

here was knowing the strangeness of everything
around you, here was a framed heinous photo
thick red splashing in the shadows
dusting earth with mere crumbs of history
swallowing bodies, carefully, bitterly

as biting words, of the last veteran sounded

there came a hard crusted drum roll

then, the first hiss of fireworks ascending toward
heaven....
BANG…BANG…BANG, BANG, and BANG
the entire crowd silently shuttered
while streams of color flailed the air
meaning the precise moment of reality
fizzing the word SAFE

i looked up…and the last thing i remember
was the white hot heat of the sun

blotting this moment in time, became my
religion, even though it was balmy,
fermenting like malt liquor
smells of sweat in the air

then….
upon looking on the arcades of names
sprawled across this wall…there, appeared
a soldier’s reflection on the glass pearl-black stone
laying one hand, hard against its heart
as if through the wall, he could touch his cohorts

tears streamed down his dirt stained cheeks
mud lined his boots, like a swelling produced
by a blow….
he was alien to the crowd, archaic

suddenly, there was no definition or state of affairs
that chilled the air as this moment…
suddenly, there was no African sun beating
down on this time

i was relieved to be drowning in this heat
rather then hearing that shrill whistle
blowing across the wind…
calling men everywhere to arms
to arms...

this place, right here, right now
was a better place...
Because of that soldier and
because of his cohorts
now surrounding me
like sturdy sycamore limbs…
lest I be snatched from they’re grasp
by the heavy breathing of war…

Suddenly…the 4th of July, had a whole new meaning

Now chills crawled up my spine


to all the boys, who became men in an instant
to all men who became better, because of them
To families everywhere who indeed know what loss is



© Copyright 2005 Lee J. - All Rights Reserved
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
1 posted 2005-07-01 12:57 PM


oh my

and you've sent those chills to me now

dang! what a story told!

garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
2 posted 2005-07-01 01:37 PM


I responced in the other forum, but
wanted to let you know that I read
it again.
Hugs,

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
3 posted 2005-07-01 02:22 PM






A profound write Lee....popping this into my library!
Have a safe and Happy Fourth!



Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
4 posted 2005-07-01 07:00 PM


LeeJ

I just replied in Open 35...I didn't realize this wonderful poem was here also...that's good...it should be read twice!  

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

5 posted 2005-07-01 07:12 PM


i replied in Open 35 too, i didn't know we had a 36 going.

an amazing write LeeJ



Mxx

drove me like a magnet
to the sea

~stevie nicks~

ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
6 posted 2005-07-03 07:15 AM


It is my thought, that if each soldier that has fought, could whisper directly from their heart, it would speak the words "never again"

But alas war expierence is still being had...

And years from now there will be others, crying at the wall....I ask

When will this madness end, For all our sakes?

Soldiers need our blessings, for they sleep with nighmares...
The fourth is a good day to remember this.

Strong poetry, Lee

Peace-------ice
       ><>

Ericc
Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178

7 posted 2005-07-03 07:10 PM


Reading your words always becomes more then simple enjoyment of poetry.
It's an experience.

Eric

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
8 posted 2005-07-04 02:28 PM


"i wondered about the attic rooms of heaven
were they cool and
did they shake to, when shedding tears?
perhaps mine, puny in comparison..."

Oh my Lady LeeJ,
Superb in it's entirety, and the above verse was captivating.

Happy 4th of July.
TD

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
9 posted 2005-07-04 07:19 PM


good read
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