deepundergroundpoetry.com
Silence (After the war)
I do not move. Wave after wave
Pulsating sweat in mid-day-May
This is the end. Isn’t it?
On a glorious morning; such as
This, nothing is dead.
Nothing appears as it seems.
I’ll quail before the hour
Pressing aslant to virgin’s bower
Smooth as tempo
Falling in fate with gravity
Ripples of light ruffle into horizon
Merging with gun metal grey
Silence; a comfortable familiarity.
War is over my love
Return to me!
Time put away combat boots
Guns, weapons and sack of bones
Weighing with the weight of the day.
Lift your head above stoney pillow
Singing the song of ‘Fortunate Son”
Leaving unmarked graves behind.
Handful of dirt, a prayer
What we ever asked
The choice was never yours
Nor mine in the end.
Etched lines come alive
On walls wedged between us
I reach for your hand
Pulling
The war is over my love
Return to me.
You’re somewhere
Unreachable, for a moment
Before returning
With a crooked smile
I cup a rolling tear.
Silence:
A comfortable reality.
Pulsating sweat in mid-day-May
This is the end. Isn’t it?
On a glorious morning; such as
This, nothing is dead.
Nothing appears as it seems.
I’ll quail before the hour
Pressing aslant to virgin’s bower
Smooth as tempo
Falling in fate with gravity
Ripples of light ruffle into horizon
Merging with gun metal grey
Silence; a comfortable familiarity.
War is over my love
Return to me!
Time put away combat boots
Guns, weapons and sack of bones
Weighing with the weight of the day.
Lift your head above stoney pillow
Singing the song of ‘Fortunate Son”
Leaving unmarked graves behind.
Handful of dirt, a prayer
What we ever asked
The choice was never yours
Nor mine in the end.
Etched lines come alive
On walls wedged between us
I reach for your hand
Pulling
The war is over my love
Return to me.
You’re somewhere
Unreachable, for a moment
Before returning
With a crooked smile
I cup a rolling tear.
Silence:
A comfortable reality.
Published 17th May 2018
Author's Note
*Dedicated to all families affected by war.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 16
reading list entries 1
comments 11
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Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
17th May 2018 6:59pm
Those who wait (not knowing how they have changed) and, those who return (Knowing they'll never be the same...) - "before returning with a crooked smile", such an evocative line taking us to the "silence" and the "comfortable reality" we've never navigated before...
I liked it, a lot!
I liked it, a lot!
Anonymous
- Edited 27th Dec 2019 12:45pm
17th May 2018 7:26pm
<< post removed >>
17th May 2018 7:56pm
Simply amazing piece of poetry. Wonderfully written, you never cease to amaze.
~anonshadow
~anonshadow
19th May 2018 00:46am
Beautiful, evocative and your voice is measured. Excellent alchemy. Enjoyed this.
Daniel
Daniel
20th May 2018 3:28am
Layla, this piece brought tears. The mention of "Fortunate Son" made me recall the Ken Burns "Vietnam" series that was do emotional and angering. Brava!
Yes , the war is over . But in my case , I think ‘we’ve’ both been left for dead !
I see it as two loves , hearts broken.
I see it as two loves , hearts broken.
Anonymous
- Edited 22nd Feb 2020 11:45am
27th May 2018 1:43am
<< post removed >>
This is beautiful and real. My father told me once, when I asked how it felt when the Vietnam war ended, that the war never ends for those who fought and survived.
28th May 2018 5:08am
29th May 2018 1:20am
31st May 2018 7:14am
Poignant thoughts of a war separated woman now that war is over - but they are still apart. These lines:
"The choice was never yours
Nor mine in the end. "
Speak for so many - he had to go where he was told, forcing the separation upon her.
"The choice was never yours
Nor mine in the end. "
Speak for so many - he had to go where he was told, forcing the separation upon her.
