Flashbacks

My answer to the very foolish line "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger".

Click.

It interrupted the noise,

The thunderous vibrations,

Cacophony of fit boys

All killing for their nations.

Click.

Just a second, even less,

Of metal on metal.

Then a boom and great mess

Of torn limbs and shrapnel.

BOOM.

He jumped out of his seat

And fell sprawled on the floor.

This old man with no feet,

And no legs anymore.

Pop.

Another balloon popped,

And after he calmed,

Scarred children had stopped,

Some ran to their Moms.

Weeping within himself,

In the kids’ party in the parlor,

He cursed whoever said

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.

Author's Note

This was written to be submitted to the contest What People Say. Enjoy.

Reviews

[Ashwin Shanker]

This is a very well-written piece on post traumatic stress disorder (as Schatzi pointed out). I like the treatment that you have given this, like associating sounds to the traumatic memories associated with the war that once surrounded the hapless soldier. Reminds us to stay away from it and ensure that peace prevails.
We writers have a huge role to play in keeping the world well-knit together.

[King Sleepless]

Deep, thoughtful and sad. You are a better poet than you let on.

[Schatzi]

Hello Alex,

I think you appropriately described an episode of PTSD and you did it very well. I hope you placed in the contest!

Thank you for sharing you work!

Kind regards,

Schatzi

[KBW]

Love this. Is beautifully written and so powerful. It made the hair on the back of my neck Stand up. Keep writing and keep fighting! Bless you

[Alethea Morgan]

Hello,

I really really like this. I think it was perfect and when you used the words click and boom it really resonated with me and i felt even more drawn into your poem. I have always enjoyed poems that rhyme and I am very happy that I was able to have read yours!

Thank you!
Ali :)

[Mifa]

Cool poem. Quite engaging.

[Sammi]

Hi Alex I got your name from the top reviewers list and wanted to read some of your poetry and really enjoyed this one because of the talent it took to write it but feel very sad from the terrible message it speaks of, it is said wars are necessary but I'll never believe it, my husband was killed in Afghanistan and this made me cry but I know it has to be said, you are a very good poet -- thank you!

HUGGS!
Sammi

[streetrose]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I enjoyed the crap out of this. Nice.

[emmajoy]

Can't say i like this.. but tragic though it is, could read it over and over until self is more a pacifist than was. What a clever, NO! intelligent observation on and of war - Life's full-on tragedy.

Maybe my mind but... a clown entertainer creating aural and visual chaos to prove a point or maybe just make one?

[mattavelli]

Hello, Alex. :)
I enjoyed your poem. I like the use of sounds. I think the last four lines could form their own stanza.