Recurrent Nightmare

I am looking for a place to hide.
In the dark, I'm not alone.
Moving place to place.
Not staying long.

Who is it this time...
In shadows it's difficult to see.
A group in uniforms 
Searching for me...

I keep moving...crawling
Very close to the ground.
Holding my breath.
Making no sound.

The search goes on.
Afraid...I'm not
They'll never find me.
I'm a pro at hiding.

Author's Note

The poem is about a recurrent nightmare. I was born during World War Two in Metz France, a few miles from Germany.
During the War many times, mostly at night the Bombs would drop. The siren's would blear. We had to move fast to a safe place marked by a large white arrow on a wall pointing toward a deep cellar. Our house was hit by a bomb. With the Grace of God my family of 9 was in a safe place. Soldiers every where, even after the War ended. So much destruction. A possibility I was traumatized. Once in a while I would have a nightmare similar to the poem.

Reviews

[The Devil's Own B***h]

Even before I read the Author's Note I could tell what your poem was about. I cannot even begin to imagine what it must have been like for you. Your poems brings up many feelings of fear. I love your closing lines:
"The search goes on.
Afraid...I'm not
They'll never find me.
I'm a pro at hiding."

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love and hugs,
Josie

[Winter McPherson]

I did think of the Nazi's while reading this. How traumatic for you! No wonder you had this nightmare. Thank you for sharing this with us. It makes me thankful for what I have and where I live!

[Carole]

I can't even imagine, Anita...Have you been able to heal from this after all of these years? I can certainly understand you having nightmares about it when your family was so accustomed to moving in the name of survival. Thank you for sharing your story here. It is eye opening. Bless you, Carole

[Markymark]

Love this piece. Found your name in the book of a mutual friend. Incredible. Thanks for sharing.

Markymark

[Mark]

Isn't it queer, how our life's experiences, particularly the bad or frightening ones, can so inspire others? I was 180 degrees off-base in my interpretation of this poem! The terminal phrase, "I'm a pro at hiding" suggested to my mind one who has been so frequently hurt that by, "...not staying long...", "...crawling...", and "...making no sound.", she will never be hurt again...even if she must NEVER BE SEEN AGAIN! A real heart-wrencher, especially in light of where her terror truly came from!

[Beatrice Boyle (Grandm..]

Hi Anita...I see by the above explanation, that we are about the same age, give or take a decade!
What stories we could swap! Take a look at my CHILDHOOD VIGNETTES...It's all about the years before the war. I will post the second part ...the war years...(unlike you...from the safety of our own homes...without the bomb shelters) in the next few weeks.

I can't imagine living under the conditions you did!

I hope the nightmares will stop soon!

Good Job!

Bea

[Valentine]

Annie, what a thing to have to live through so young..you and your family were so fortunate to get out alive..My family on my moms side were german Jews..they were not so fortunate..there is not a trace of the ones that did not get out..God bless..Valentine

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Wow very captivating... I really feel for you, i can never understand fully what you went through but yur poem gives a great indication.

[Lena M. P.]

My heart goes out to you. No one should have to live in that type of fear. You were very brave. This poem gives a taste of what you experienced. Thanks for sharing.

[revenant21]

Very good, my dear friend. As I have said before and will definitely say again-Your are a wonderful poet. Good work Anita.