Beyond Valor

The sacrifice and the price to pay.

Beyond Valor…By Sami Khalil

An Analysis of a widow of a fallen hero…

Barreled waves crashed upon the flood of emotions, breaching the surface of jaded eyes, with noted crest and velocity.

To align her memory, of no unbreakable bonds, she saw in real time the slippage of pathless dreams into alabaster dirges.

Every day passed, she listened to riptides and the news of her husband, George Cavallaro, who was embedded in the Iraq war and, had the misfortune of being killed by an IED, in the line of duty, under a heightened sun and across grinding sand.

Upon hearing the news, immediately her thoughts were christened with tears, falling into the sink drains of topiary reflections.

Glaringly insecure, she questioned the validity of wars, or their legitimacy, with sustaining stares, albeit aslant.

Seasons began to fade into moments of aghast flows and withered blows. Voices fell silent at times into eternal oblivion, away from the essence of hope.

She rejoiced not in the minimal of mortified states and, had to remind herself, over and over, that a baby boy is on the way, semi-orphaned across the pages of life.

As she thought, things that linger, past and present, seem to be the homecomings of resurrected souls, alive in passions and flames.

She spoke no further of turbid confessions, as admittance had many shadows of eclipsed disdains.  

Off in the distance, the dying sun dotted the uninitiated nights, in sorrowful swoons.

 What becomes of a heart, any heart, loved to an extent, but be worthy of saving its memory, aside from the places where ashes lay.

In darkest hours, she read the last letter received from him with smiles, that retained the brokenness of drifted pleasures.

Out of her writs, and in the shield position, she was lulled by the gift of life, with bent posture, to be born cheerful and with a ruddy complexion.

She finally folded the letter, gazing mutely, then uttered,

Embers cold, darkened are the hues

Hearts restless, searching for clues

I shall await in my wrenching need

And resign in your arms, as I plead.       

                                                        

Reviews

[Steven]

ephemerial phoenix rising from the last two permanent decisions.

[Sami Khalil]

Wowzy woooo! So true and well said dear poet and friend. Thank you kindly Steven for all.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'Beyond valor'
Sami Khalil,
To be pulled into the inner heart of memory of true love shared is very intense. This story is intense. In pondering your lady which is going through levels of experience as she remembers and questions within the loss of her precious husband and what it must of been like to give his life away you brought the reader into her need and pain. The lilting words and poetic phrases throughout truly show the process of her experience. It almost felt like there was an underlying current of anticipation, as if her love was not gone at all but coming back in another form. such a gorgeous memorium to the many widowed and the many whom have served and given life's sacrifice that others may know protection of life lived on a day day to basis or at least that is what it seems.
Blessings to you.
Kathy

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! What an amazing review from an amazing poet and writer. Truly honored by your visits. Thank you so much.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

I felt that you put a great deal into this piece and after reading it over twice It was such a thought provoking wonder! I have many in my family whom have served. it helped me as well.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. Good to know. You are a wonderful lady.

[Emily B]

you have honored the subject. I can't even imagine the depths of grief.

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you so much Emily B for this appreciated review and kind visit. You are honored.

[barleygirl]

I find it intimidating to approach a topic as deep & serious as this, becuz the implications are so seismic. But here you've done the topic justice, delivering such depth with your waves of grief, even down to the shattering detail of an unborn child. You've packed this with every authentic sensation one could imagine having (((HUGS))) Fondly Margie

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and well articulated Margie. It is a tough subject indeed. Thank you so much for all. All rich blessings.

[Wesley Dingler]

as always, this piece fires on all cylinders, Sam, my friend. it was so sad, but so compelling all the same.

Please keep up the great work.

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you so much Wesley for this amazing review and kindness. So glad you like it.

[Jennie Baron]

A poetic story that gets to the heart of the emotion portrayed. As I read this we celebrate Veterans' Day. The futility of war and the grief of those left behind are very much on my mind today. This couldn't be a more fitting tribute.

[Sami Khalil]

So true and well articulated. Thank you so much beloved poet and friend for this wonderful review and visit. All rich blessings.

[.]

Another brilliant write!

Again written in that journalism narrative format, you have wonderfully expressed this tale of one who dwells in the trail of War's loss and heartache. All too often we read about the courage and valour of the Soldier's on the front line; those who go above and beyond the call of duty and sometimes at the cost of their own lives. But there is also true valour in the actions of those at home who suffer the consequences of war and must go on living as best they can with the shattered hearts and fading memories.

With this write you have shone a light on the suffering and true strength of the rear echelon 'soldiers' of war, detailed with your usual wonderful vocabulary and literary talent.

Profound writing, as always.

[Sami Khalil]

I can't thank you enough great poet and friend for this wonderful review and splendid appreciation. You are honored.

[Sean M. Addams]

Very deep piece love the imagery and story.great job on this. Very heartfelt.

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you so much beloved poet and friend for this wonderful review and appreciation. Glad you like it.

[Irenic]

She finally folded the letter, gazing mutely, then uttered,
Embers cold, darkened are the hues
Hearts restless, searching for clues
I shall await in my wrenching need
And resign in your arms, as I plead.

these lines are too beautiful.
The choice of words is too good.
you are master in playing with words, Sami.
The way you have described the state of widow of a soldier is vivid.
Thank you for sharing :)

[Sami Khalil]

Awe. Thank you so much beloved poet and friend for this wonderful review and appreciation. All rich blessings.

[Irenic]

nope...............
you write soo beautifully that I am convinced to review it:)

[Ashwin Shanker]

are you drawing these images? they seem to very accurately potray your story with its imagery. Most people try to paint a picture with their words but you have gone several steps ahead by complementing a compelling picture with a story. Making for a unique experience for the reader

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you so much beloved poet and friend for this wonderful review and appreciation. I appreciate you.

[Ashwin Shanker]

please answer my question know, I am curious :P

[Sami Khalil]

It is I, by the grace and inspiration of God, His glorious creations and Nature.

[Sami Khalil]

I mean the mental pics