deepundergroundpoetry.com
sky of dying stars
the battle rages on. tracers pierce the obsidian night, quick flashes
of death eating the air. the enemy’s thunderous guns drive us mad,
and still we advance. cowardly stars slowly fade from the sky.
the luck that has shielded me is savagely torn away, as a bullet rips
flesh above my hip, burning, just as the sacred side of Christ was
desecrated by a Roman spear. another round finds me, & another; I
stumble & drop to the mud. perhaps a dozen stars, bravely, still shine.
in my daze, I sense a comrade grab me & drag me back. like a broken
marionette, I am tossed into a jeep with other wounded, driven to a
makeshift field surgical unit, to the rear of our line.
dysphoria clouds me, ghostly memories rise like Lazarus. I see the
children of my village playing in the dirt road, mimicking soldiers,
sticks for weapons. I watch my mother weeping, as I march to battle.
and there is the oak tree, where I sheltered from the Spring rain with
an auburn-haired girl, maiden of the willows, who startled me with
kisses. all the admiring stars in the sky regaled us, whispering ‘this
is love, & it is good.’ for one moment I embrace the vision of her,
whose lips I will never taste again…
barely conscious, I am on a gurney in the open air, medical personnel
probing my flesh, chasing bits of metal, evacuating blood, suturing,
under a sweating, dimming sky. abruptly they cease, their barely heard
mumbles telling me their efforts are wasted.
the final star blinks out. the black sky descends. it covers me like a
shroud, & I sleep, in absolute peace
beyond all the calendared morrows.
Published 28th Nov 2013
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likes 15
reading list entries 4
comments 13
reads 1627
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The author encourages honest critique.
28th Nov 2013 10:07am
28th Nov 2013 10:27am
Superb John, you lead the reader
through a vivid journey from life to death
with a captivating and an
amazing flow words.
I enjoyed the journey much.
through a vivid journey from life to death
with a captivating and an
amazing flow words.
I enjoyed the journey much.
28th Nov 2013 10:39am
Very nice poem..it reminds me of a poem called will it be so again...I love the imagery its very good.
28th Nov 2013 11:35am
28th Nov 2013 1:27pm
28th Nov 2013 3:34pm
"dysphoria clouds me, ghostly memories rise like Lazarus"
This is the art of words - divine ink, Feddeler, just divine.
This is the art of words - divine ink, Feddeler, just divine.
28th Nov 2013 5:37pm
The images behind that shroud casts a haunting glimpse of realities mangled face. Written majestically, John.
29th Nov 2013 5:44am
Your dark is so entertaining to me. I often wonder why this genre when you ink it, pulls me in deeper than most poets on DUP! Huge compliment.:) Thoroughly enjoyed, John! Xo
29th Nov 2013 7:01am
... there is beauty within death... you have penned it well. excellent
30th Nov 2013 11:44am
this would be a great opening to "Paths of Glory" ...brilliant ink John.
LSP
LSP
1st Dec 2013 3:36am
John, your poetry is engaging and the themes used engage further. Besides the odd line break here and there your poetry is aesthetically pleasing to read, descriptive images and personified items all make for an enjoyable piece of poetry.
Thank you for the read.
Thank you for the read.
2nd Dec 2013 2:19am
Man your piece is great! All it does is remind me of the war back in my military days. I thank you for this creative piece. Keep doing your thing John. Much love & respect!
17th Dec 2016 6:05am
The descriptives here are stunning. Elegant words in a hash setting gives the reader an amazing sense of being there.
Memories of an auburn haired girl, admiring stars, and whispers of love. The thoughts of life's most precious things before that peaceful sleep comes.
Masterfully written, John...
Memories of an auburn haired girl, admiring stars, and whispers of love. The thoughts of life's most precious things before that peaceful sleep comes.
Masterfully written, John...
