Surreal and War Fog

Expressing emotion can become poetry. It was unexpected. The war had started with eliminating the terrorists from our midst but the eventual battles of engagement were static. We were already a few weeks into the war and our kids and grandkids from the North had moved in with us 2 weeks ago. Emotions and frustration were high in the house. Our family trip to celebrate my 80th birthday was cancelled and to everyone's chagrin, what would be our last sailing trip, looked like it would also be cancelled. My brother from the U.S. is calling daily as are others.

It's late at night and my emotions are running wild. I start to write an email to my brother and my emotions all start pouring out in short directed phrases. I finish the email and send it off.

My brother calls the next day and says, "Did you mean to write a poem. It was actually quite good" to which I replied "What poem?". It seems my outpourings poured out as a poem. I was pleased with the way this exercise made me feel so I continued to try my hand at expressing my emotions in this manner and that's what makes poetry so meaningful. 

SURREAL. . . .

The war is being fought just a few miles away but Life goes on. . . .

Missiles and bombs fall virtually nearby

We hear a 'whine' and 'their' sirens

We hear the Iron Dome catching 'their' projectiles with a loud Thump!

And the war goes on . . . .

Streets are lit up with street lights and signs

Even the tiny lights encircling the Palms

Vegetation lit by green lights – our Mayor's idea

And the war goes on . . . .

People shop for food and school supplies

Shelves are plentiful – no rationing

Traffic flows and people are out walking

And the war goes on . . . .

Restaurants are active

People are ordering

Waiters are serving when a Thump is heard

No-one blinks – it's over the next town

Someone complains "no sweet potato fries!"

And the war goes on . . . .

Pizza signs blinking

A line at Burgers Bar

Golda's Ice Cream is crowded

And the war goes on . . . .

Fruit and vegetables displayed on open green grocer

Sales on clothes and toys encourage the economy

Life continues on in a blurred bubble

Life beneath the surreal bubble cries terrified!

WAR FOG

Woke up to gray skies or was it War Fog?

Heard planes again and again during the night overhead

Was there that much 'action' that the skies are so fogged?

Hear the Thumps of the Iron Dome interceptions

Winds of destruction strews War Dust that falls everywhere

Hear the screech of missiles flying

Will Israel's skies ever shine again?