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I war no more
Prompted by Poppy's Challenge. Describing the savage attack on Bakhmut, Ukraine
Sirens
Wind Chimes
Sandcastles
Postcard
Grave
The sirens scream: “Air raid! Seek shelter!”
I'll close my eyes, And hear the windchimes.
Two women dig a grave. It’s shallow.
I'll close my eyes, and now they build sandcastles.
A notice came with writing “Killed In Action”
I'll close my eyes and think you sent a postcard.
And suddenly my terrible existence
Like watercolor, gentle and translucent
Transforms into that day we spent together.
The strip of sand, the waves, the chimes, the ocean.
You held my hand and said: "We'll live forever".
Our children digging graves, no wait, the castles..
Our children building castles!
Bells chiming! Sky was clear! Or were there heralds?
The little warnings of the up-and-coming storm?
Ill think again, this time I'll focus harder!
The beach, the sand, the chimes, the graves, the castles, your hand in mine..
There were no graves.. I've gotten
So used to seeing them, they bleed into my mem'ries. Becoming me while sirens wail in grieving.
No more.
About the Creator
Salomé Saffiri
Writing - is my purpose. I feel elated when my thoughts assume shapes, and turn into Timberwolves, running through the snowbound planes of fresh paper, leaving the black ink of their paw prints behind.
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Comments (3)
Omgggg, this ripped my heart out of my chest! Loved your take on Poppy's Prompts!
Beautiful as a dream and as painful as a bloody battlefield. This is really fine writing, Salome.
It's so poignant, I love it🫶