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Dark Poetry #4
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Cold war
| Dark Poetry #4 |
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Cold war |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn 
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The siren would start out low and deep, as if the world itself were moaning in protestation And Mrs. Britton the 4th grade teacher would have us under our desks even before the low moan became a terrified keening Rabbits in little hutches we would kneel there with our hands on our heads Practicing for the end of the world The Air Raid siren was located downtown on the roof of the courthouse Its four huge horns one for each of the winds assured the grim announcement would be heard for miles around On some Saturdays two or three of us kids would play in the fields at the city’s edge making “forts” from the bales we found Tommy and I were sitting on a hill there overlooking the farm, the town sitting under a lone, towering oak when we heard the moan And concluded this couldn’t be a drill since we weren’t in school and hadn’t the reassurance of our desks and, that missiles were surely on their way we knew there wasn’t time to get home or to town and the “Bomb” shelter so we sat there being brave for the other Waiting for the flash that would take our eyes Waiting for the heat that would melt our skin Waiting for the end of everything When, at last, it became clear to us that the Horsemen had been delayed or simply decided to take a long lunch the sky was older and we were mortal Now, it amazes me how surely and quickly the very young can reconcile it all and prepare themselves to die |
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| © Copyright 2004 E.F.Rose - All Rights Reserved | |||
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
and I know one kid, who dug and dug, and built a bomb shelter. That didn't kill him. But stealing a buncha of asbestos made him retarded. sigh. It looks like a purty pile of sand... man... |
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Susan Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104walking the surreal |
I can't even imagine - though the cold cold war still existed when I was very young, before the beginning thaw, it did not seem to be such a cloud over head - Enjoyed this perspective and insight. Susan Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you. Joy is a state of mind. |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
This is amazing Ed, and yes, that immortality (irony) of the young is priceless. Untouched before the world has a chance at em . . . |
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Purity Senior Member
since 2001-11-20
Posts 526Once Upon, USA |
Such vivid clarity, Ed! This was dualistic... not only serving to allow us not to forget this sad, but real threat even today that forces the "practicing of the end of the world",but it was also a fantastic example of storytelling in poetry at its finest. Great job! Lose one friend... Lose all friends... Lose Yourself... |
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green_itchy_stuff Senior Member
since 2003-06-26
Posts 1929New Caney, Tx |
I can't even guess at what it was like during those times since I hadn't been born yet, but I can relate to the getting prepared to die thing. And it is amazing how quickly and simple it is to get ready to die even at a younger age. Almost involuntary in some instances. -GIS He has made everything beautiful in its own time. -Ecclesiastes 3:11 |
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Hollow_Emptiness Senior Member
since 2004-02-01
Posts 715New Zealand |
Oh god. I'm sure glad you picked up a pen and wrote this. The ending, was so tragic, and thought provoking. Nice write. Hollow. I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad. The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had. - Gary Jules, Mad World. |
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Purity Senior Member
since 2001-11-20
Posts 526Once Upon, USA |
"Now, it amazes me how surely and quickly the very young can reconcile it all and prepare themselves to die"... Sorry this needed to be said again.... Ed, sent you a novella of an e-mail and can only hope you got it. Seems the friend has gotten more vintaged and thus valuable since we flirted with words sometime in the past. Lose one friend... Lose all friends... Lose Yourself... |
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devina Member Elite
since 1999-10-28
Posts 3539Cali |
What can I say to this man? It's been a long time since I've had the security of my desk as well... sighs. Love your mind pictures and smackin me-self for waiting so long to peek in on you  take care sweets! ~D Open arms can be the most fragile in the world... |
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