CLOSE YOUR EYES

 

Take a deep breath.

Close your eyes.

Imagine you’re at a sandy beach

in San Diego or Miami …

You can feel the heat of the sun

on your oiled skin and thinking

about how beautiful your tan

is going to look makes you smile.

The sound of crushing waves tickles

your ears; it’s a special, soothing sound

unlike any other anywhere

in the world; you can hear its crescendo

from the distance and then it ends

in a soft roar as it spreads on the sandy beach

not far from where you are lying.

Despite the heat, a soft and cooling breeze

touches your skin like

the invisible hand of a longing lover.

Every now and then, a few voices break

your silence reminding you that you are

not alone here. Up in the sky, the shrieking

of a seagull does not seem foreign at all,

and unlike the voices, does not bother you

as much. With your soft fingers

you touch the warm sand … its dry crystal grains

easily slip through your fingers and drift away

with the wind.

You take a deep breath and think

the pristine ocean water will soon

cool your body and refresh it.

You taste its saltiness on your lips. 

You know you are happy

because you are part of the sand,

and the ocean,

and the sky.

Now,

take a deep breath.

Breathe through your mouth.

Open your eyes.

Don’t succumb to the chaos.

Don’t step on a blood stain

that’s larger than your foot;

you might slip and fall.

A sniper could pick you up

through his scope.

Don't stand so tall. 

Pick an arm here,

a leg there.

A head flew somewhere

unknown;

it’s unfound.

Some soccer playing kid

will kick it in. 

Bowels are the worst.

The stack of body bags is there.

Tune out the wailing

of mothers, wives and sisters.

Don’t console the crying

of the sons and daughters.

Don’t look anybody in the eyes.

Don’t try to mend broken lives.

Visceral anger will soon bubble

through the surface vexingly.

Cry! The salty tears will

tighten your stomach.

It's ok to cry,

but just with one eye.

Keep an eye open

for a possible second suicide bomber.

If you feel you’re about to puke,

go to the side,

take a deep breath,

close your eyes,

huddle in a corner of your

mind,

and imagine …

you’re at a sandy beach

in San Diego, or Miami,

and not in baghdad.

 

 

Reviews

[closed account]

wow, the imagery you provided was right on point. Poetry is such a big part of who I am, it's my escape from everyday trials and truama, but for you? I think the biggest escape.. Keep your mind on the Sandy Beach!! lol,, it's funny thats my name...

[The Autumn Faerie]

I agree with Kara.
I wasn't expecting this to turn into a war scene, either.
Wow...
Way to really throw us off guard, in an excellent manner, of course...
*sigh*
I wish the war was over...

[Kara Emily Krantz]

jeeeeezeeeee!! totally wasn't expecting that. i'm still a little side-swiped. you did such an Excellent job of setting up this piece, that it completely floored me when you changed the entire scene.

"Up in the sky, the shrieking
of a seagull does not seem foreign at all,
and unlike the voices, does not bother you
as much. "

That was my favorite part of the piece... because you tapped right into the mind of someone relaxing on the beach. i just can't believe the twist... you turned from this EXTREME sense of relaxation and peace, and then turned it into TOTAL carnage.

really effective my dear. so well done