I.
The radio hissed and moaned
Like aching violins, old and arthritic,
So that even in the absence of music
Its protesting chorus sung.
Through streets and dirty alleys it echoed
Its frustrated crooning the first of may signs.
Televisions spluttered and died,
But the radio kept on singing.
Rich and warm came the voice
Looping a last testament,
Over and over
As the streets and dirty alleys emptied
Only we missed the static lullaby.
II.
The bombs fell like stars
Tails flaming with white heat
Screaming their chaos in mechanical sirens
The noise swam around our heads in the vacant amphitheatre
Desolate and heavy.
We clung to each other in the crushing silence that followed
For a second, for a decade.
The black velvet curtain enveloped the sun
Swathing us in its welcoming burn
Holding us in ash and embers
As a tender mother holds its babe.
III.
I can’t remember how the story started.
All I know is how it ends.
Sand blasted lay the towering apartments
Tarmac cracked and broken,
Windows yawn in the volatile quiet,
Their panes littered like grain-
Infinitesimal diamonds lining the gutters.
Back to nature and back to basics.
Empty car carcasses and emptier homes.
If I close my eyes I can feel you-
Long strides and darkened eyes,
Holding me up like a scaffold
Amongst the skyscraper gravestones
And the infrequent cry of the radio.
Author notes
Slinky-milinky
A contest entry
- Quote Prompt, No Line or Word Limit... by mysticstorm.
600 points, ended January 24, 12 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - the catharsis rounds; auditions. by aanika.
1800 points, ended February 10, 43 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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wow, Wow, WOW.
This was extremely powerful, my friend. I loved each of the individual ideas and concepts - just the feeling that the sky has begin to bomb your sitting and your life...that image speaks wonders.
This piece can be taken literally, where the powerful imagery attacks the reader with the brutal, overwhelming reality of whatever disaster this is -- most likely war... You were able to put me into this situation, feel the heticism and feel scared for the future... Amazing.
And on the other end of the spectrum, metaphorically, you speak of your own life, and your own relationship with whoever it was you were in the ampitheatre with... all of the sudden whatever you guys had, it feels like it is under attack.
All this... with the brilliant word choices and descriptions, a great form and each separate vignette bringing more and more to the table...
This was a brilliant read, and I am both sad and shocked I have not run into you before on this site.
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yes.
thanks for entering
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yes.
I really liked this, though I felt like you went on a bit too long on certain things.
Overall, it was good.
Please wait for the other judges comment.
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This is simply amazing...so deep and chilling...great imagery and metaphor with such moving words and sorrow felt...excellent write.
Thank you for entering!
mystic
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i like the white noise, the idea of our lives going on through the universe like radio waves, even after we've burned out. maybe there's someone out there listening, after all. -eternalfish
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The bombs fell like stars
Tails flaming with white heat
Screaming their chaos in mechanical sirens
The noise swam around our heads in the vacant amphitheater
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I am glad your still writing, it looks like your doing well cos its been awhile since I commented, I was hoping you were still on here.
I really like this write, just like I love all your writes, you have a knack for detail and while reading this, it made me want to go get a tissue, especially when I came to the mother part of your poem, because there is no stronger bond than that.
Nice write here.
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