LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296
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0
posted
2005-07-01
11:31 AM
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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
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© Copyright
2005
Lee J.
- All Rights Reserved
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passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
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1
posted
2005-07-01
12:57 PM
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oh my
and you've sent those chills to me now
dang! what a story told!
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garysgirl
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
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2
posted
2005-07-01
01:37 PM
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I responced in the other forum, but wanted to let you know that I read it again. Hugs,
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Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
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3
posted
2005-07-01
02:22 PM
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  A profound write Lee....popping this into my library! Have a safe and Happy Fourth!
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
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4
posted
2005-07-01
07:00 PM
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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! 
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Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095
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5
posted
2005-07-01
07:12 PM
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i replied in Open 35 too, i didn't know we had a 36 going.
an amazing write LeeJ

Mxxdrove me like a magnet to the sea
~stevie nicks~
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ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
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6
posted
2005-07-03
07:15 AM
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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 ><>
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Ericc
Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178
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7
posted
2005-07-03
07:10 PM
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Reading your words always becomes more then simple enjoyment of poetry. It's an experience.
Eric
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ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
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8
posted
2005-07-04
02:28 PM
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"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
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vandana
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
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9
posted
2005-07-04
07:19 PM
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good read 
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